tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84041222884989727012024-03-05T23:57:16.014-05:00gogmagogicalEnjoying Tremendous Music. Once Helped Make Tremendous Music.Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.comBlogger324125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-10496965731407408772017-06-12T20:22:00.001-04:002017-06-12T20:22:58.218-04:00IKEA Gorm / Hejne Pedalboard. Totally by Hand. Under Two Hours. About Twenty-Two Dollars.Yeah - a one-off. And for no better reason than I benefited from similar posts and wanted to ensure there was<i> one more</i> entry out there to find. There are already a million and one variations of this out there on Pinterest and beyond and a million of those are probably better than this one but, still.<br />
<br />
I started with the IKEA Hejne (formerly Gorm, I guess) shelf. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00287808/#/80287809" target="_blank">These come in a pack of two for $14.00</a>. So, <b>$7.00</b> to start for one pedalboard. This starts with a footprint of 30-3/8" x 18-1/2".<br />
<br />
What sets my board apart, I think, is the gripping surface. I hate velcro on the bottom of pedals. I don't like zip ties. I don't gig and, I bet like 94% of you, never play anywhere outside my own basement. I like to swap pedals out and change order frequently. I found that a "nubby" doormat will allow any pedal with feet (like the Electro-Harmonix I love) to nestle in and remain pretty still throughout play. I don't need anything to stay immobile and don't need to pack or move this board. So - to finalize my supplies I also bought:<br />
<ul>
<li>A rubber door mat - I got one at Meijer for <b>$7.99 </b>in dimensions just smaller than the shelf</li>
<li>A small pack of L-shaped braces for <b>$1.39</b></li>
<li>A tube of Liquid Nails (<a href="http://www.liquidnails.com/products/household-adhesives/construction-adhesive-LN700" target="_blank">LN-700 specifically for adhering rubber to wood</a>) for <b>$2.79</b></li>
<li>Spray Paint (I used <a href="http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/painters-touch-2x-ultra-cover/satin?ls=314753&lc=Satin%20Rustic%20Orange" target="_blank">Rustoleum 2X Ultra Cover Rustic Orange</a> to match Orange amp tolex) for <b>$3.00</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnYwDk0F0oFoAhC7H_7aM-mJb7d5AqyP2l4mEplnjhfP_stxyZAqnb97d3_erE_XOB0wJ-ED4FMd4sRMhlhUuM2kP2OZ1XxY1yTBvuR6wAhksLgm5G6n6UjnqxjjFtTLkuKIUwiMoLNM/s1600/pedal13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="421" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnYwDk0F0oFoAhC7H_7aM-mJb7d5AqyP2l4mEplnjhfP_stxyZAqnb97d3_erE_XOB0wJ-ED4FMd4sRMhlhUuM2kP2OZ1XxY1yTBvuR6wAhksLgm5G6n6UjnqxjjFtTLkuKIUwiMoLNM/s320/pedal13.jpg" width="204" /></a>Using a handsaw I already owned, I cut one of the five slats loose. I eyeballed this and cut as flush with the edge of the fourth slat as I could.<br />
<br />
This left little "L-shaped" crosspieces attached to the ends of the single slat. I used a smaller handsaw to trim the shorter of these sides flush with the edge of the single slat so that it could nestle together perpendicular to the larger board forming and angled whole.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnQCiwzb8z0BfKI5Q-3lW_DqDdWRUM0jB9W7I9tHUxXE62nIrsMEXtixsy8qDzrGym6qaRPeK_xt7bxH3y0OVm0qe728DC5E6aGFoaAxOUfpEuhw6h_26hxbnBp8FjdII3KzDVA5JYTg/s1600/pedal9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="371" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnQCiwzb8z0BfKI5Q-3lW_DqDdWRUM0jB9W7I9tHUxXE62nIrsMEXtixsy8qDzrGym6qaRPeK_xt7bxH3y0OVm0qe728DC5E6aGFoaAxOUfpEuhw6h_26hxbnBp8FjdII3KzDVA5JYTg/s200/pedal9.jpg" width="112" /></a>I then affixed the single slat to the larger board using the L-brackets. Were I to do again I would probably add a third, larger bracket in the center for more stability. This fit together at approximately a 90-degree angle, so the "feet" didn't sit level on the floor. I simply took a straightedge against the floor, scribed a straight line across the bottom of the feet and made another cut along this line to level everything out. I then carried the whole thing to the back yard and applied one coat of spray paint. All that took less than an hour. Let sit overnight.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorBg-DQaCVYFxQx_jFl-QiOFmhw_IJR8XVk_l5LsA1aQsxk2u2cD-aa_hF79xBtuymcwSAWde_OVLhjW9u_7pFWPbkShF_pbUn2Wp9cQIE_kZs2Mmid6GiKIwN6N-ziVhOAL1efWfLjk/s1600/pedal8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_l3tTD-6LBsEtGvTFHkoc5mwjzTwNxzabT-IiFQTYFi9V-SGiz_v_uLpofg7mBFzKrt7kJ0H5hKlc1WjKu1IxY7B9LjB3oJMHCM_YEo86TNBmRvYxI0mklRLtipqfVGMlGS78tx5VV2Y/s1600/pedal7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="371" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_l3tTD-6LBsEtGvTFHkoc5mwjzTwNxzabT-IiFQTYFi9V-SGiz_v_uLpofg7mBFzKrt7kJ0H5hKlc1WjKu1IxY7B9LjB3oJMHCM_YEo86TNBmRvYxI0mklRLtipqfVGMlGS78tx5VV2Y/s200/pedal7.jpg" width="112" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1172" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorBg-DQaCVYFxQx_jFl-QiOFmhw_IJR8XVk_l5LsA1aQsxk2u2cD-aa_hF79xBtuymcwSAWde_OVLhjW9u_7pFWPbkShF_pbUn2Wp9cQIE_kZs2Mmid6GiKIwN6N-ziVhOAL1efWfLjk/s320/pedal8.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<br />
Day Two: I sprayed another coat of paint and let dry for another day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvQ5Ls6O9Bzark97tupNY0XH97UST_PcUL7eYGhfz6IX_iB166CmX56_dN5FnjqznkHkOjC0-ZDXQMZgGLy5FUM8aWnEV1T95VwxBHiYyJibKD6F0Nz-nCyZY5hWjQvxRWlrcp7XAZwc/s1600/pedal12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="918" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvQ5Ls6O9Bzark97tupNY0XH97UST_PcUL7eYGhfz6IX_iB166CmX56_dN5FnjqznkHkOjC0-ZDXQMZgGLy5FUM8aWnEV1T95VwxBHiYyJibKD6F0Nz-nCyZY5hWjQvxRWlrcp7XAZwc/s320/pedal12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Day Three: I took my door mat and a box cutter with a fresh blade and sliced it into four rectangles that would fit on each of the slats. Preferences for coverage will vary but mine ended up about 28" x 2-1/2", I believe. I then applied the Liquid Nails to the back of the rubber and lay on each of the slats. This stuff is pretty liquid but won't squish out and make a mess. You have maybe 20 minutes with which you can mess with positioning and then, wait one more night.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMzQmHhRtu3Wd4x77kplkgnk92yvjvjSZYmJktzeAUNUzQJUMOZhmh-UCAA9hrBYWRGPK8-O-rGsKUBMP-4h2hgeioe_1x7AhNriov1PKDwzmyK2gKo-F-W3frzyXlUL53i1G9ZAe7iM/s1600/pedal5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="371" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMzQmHhRtu3Wd4x77kplkgnk92yvjvjSZYmJktzeAUNUzQJUMOZhmh-UCAA9hrBYWRGPK8-O-rGsKUBMP-4h2hgeioe_1x7AhNriov1PKDwzmyK2gKo-F-W3frzyXlUL53i1G9ZAe7iM/s320/pedal5.jpg" width="180" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9SNP4zgWKc__jnA21pWQ3_eeIL8MrC0x9ZYUNjtvjyXl4LTEyshWwXfV5S2zxjhhshfHUICWZcvhazPwMIoDx1VTSqi-mtiYlfmpUutRhSf94LQnTiOXSeWRiJ-XvtXMFWh90HNaTco/s1600/pedal4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="371" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9SNP4zgWKc__jnA21pWQ3_eeIL8MrC0x9ZYUNjtvjyXl4LTEyshWwXfV5S2zxjhhshfHUICWZcvhazPwMIoDx1VTSqi-mtiYlfmpUutRhSf94LQnTiOXSeWRiJ-XvtXMFWh90HNaTco/s320/pedal4.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNo3tWd1m03h9LKLRbgl27mUqS4SirLigQseZf2H70-6k4Sq2GEGLqzy8CHQcc5iLENYhLboumLPp_m35ttVS1mRpam3dY7S_YgZyd8bPDD40XWJJgm970DObQtXAMe9Bdc-OcC67bG0/s1600/pedal3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1172" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNo3tWd1m03h9LKLRbgl27mUqS4SirLigQseZf2H70-6k4Sq2GEGLqzy8CHQcc5iLENYhLboumLPp_m35ttVS1mRpam3dY7S_YgZyd8bPDD40XWJJgm970DObQtXAMe9Bdc-OcC67bG0/s320/pedal3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That's it. Simple stuff. You could spend a little more money and a little more time and make additional improvements such as holes for cables or attaching a power strip or source underneath. Or you could just be satisfied because the point is to play.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9yxXgg27VAar-xWgo_QJsZUKYG8hzDozV63WjoHJHqHmozqAawR6x813n7vZAZue00IeHTipTl6DThAVhlsNPixMPJ2I7XTu4PRqD2gFWt5vRtP8NPpyrvfqmCp1N_z6q2th_XQZDms/s1600/pedal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1172" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9yxXgg27VAar-xWgo_QJsZUKYG8hzDozV63WjoHJHqHmozqAawR6x813n7vZAZue00IeHTipTl6DThAVhlsNPixMPJ2I7XTu4PRqD2gFWt5vRtP8NPpyrvfqmCp1N_z6q2th_XQZDms/s320/pedal1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-37691030416585472952014-01-25T12:19:00.000-05:002014-04-08T06:56:17.303-04:00Embrace the Dark - Dismemberment - 2014<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2H41qI53_Eg1AC3fLT-6_LTiz9OY66FoOQjKdu3mBXjIC-jM7xxg5ae0KTl_VoJcAdQ3IyLSjiM6v-MsBwG_JRzYANZPApobTiNrW6LuSgmmw5XX-yRxwIAIWrG1Dmt1kapFNlMBtAM/s1600/EMBRACE+THE+DARK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2H41qI53_Eg1AC3fLT-6_LTiz9OY66FoOQjKdu3mBXjIC-jM7xxg5ae0KTl_VoJcAdQ3IyLSjiM6v-MsBwG_JRzYANZPApobTiNrW6LuSgmmw5XX-yRxwIAIWrG1Dmt1kapFNlMBtAM/s1600/EMBRACE+THE+DARK.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><i>Damn</i>. Has it been nearly two years since <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/search/label/dismemberment" target="_blank">Dismemberment</a> unleashed new music? 2012's <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/02/denied-salvation-dismemberment-2012.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Denied Salvation</b></i></a> (and its predecessor, <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2011/10/condemned-dismemberment-2011.html" target="_blank"><i><b>The Condemned</b></i></a>, for that matter) still seems fresh<b> </b>and, in this listener's library, still garners regular play. That said, I've been hungry for a full-length recording ever since first catching the band live in 2011 and, finally, <b><i>Embrace the Dark</i></b> is set to arrive early this year.<br />
<br />
"Confess Your Flesh" announces an evolution. The thrash is black, to be sure, but Dismemberment immediately slithers onto new ground, shedding the skin of hyphenated subgenre descriptors and spawns a sound that is simply their own. There is no doubt that we'll see Carcass and Death comparisons across the blogosphere and, to me, the most consistent element revealed by <i><b>Embrace the Dark</b></i> is not that Dismemberment sound like any of these bands but instead how, like any of these bands, they've established a sound that is utterly and entirely theirs. Their first track rages out of the gates with choppy riffs that flail like a knife wielded in darkness and percussion that, once it finds its target, pauses only to blindly pound the blade into bone (check out the killer transition at 1:21). Vocals have achieved a balance of menace and clarity that deliver threats and promises with immediate understanding. Dismemberment are here. And then they're moving. Try to keep up.<br />
<br />
Not only does <i><b>Embrace the Dark </b></i>find the band evolving over the course of an album but each track exists as some twisted Darwinian microcosm. The brief lead that cuts through the middle of "Eye of the Keeper" kicks off a devastating domino effect of changes, leaving vocals more or less in the past and ushering in riffs that promptly ascend to the top of the food chain. Those bemoaning a lack of bass presence (and, yes, that's usually me) need look no further than the heavy "Archaic Wisdom" which opens up for some solitary bass licks itself amidst its dry heaves of Old Gods lurching forward from centuries of sleep. "Labyrinth" winds with the hesitation with which one would approach its namesake indicating a maturity and providing a variety often absent from the <i>all-systems-go!</i> that often dominates modern thrashterpieces. Dismemberment remind the listener that the journey outweighs the destination and I daresay the melodies that lead us from the maze - or further within - reveal a strand of Thin Lizzy in this shifting DNA. "Sacrifice Reality" transcends its militant rise from the ocean and finds itself racing toward higher ground on all fours via another scorching Shively lead around the 3:30 mark before finally sauntering, fully upright, to an acoustic outro heretofore unheard in the realm of Dismemberment.<br />
<br />
There's depth in devolution, too, with the band shape-shifting with ease on tracks like "Aura of Obscurity," slowing unwinding the double-helix to the base elements of primal predator again nearly two minutes in. The guitar's pulse quickens against leaden riffs in "Anathema" and, once the cymbals kick in, one is ready for anything and receives a track that resurrects the feel of the band's stellar demos that preceded <i><b>Embrace the Dark</b></i>. "Monolithic Impurity," then, strikes from out of nowhere with a sound unlike anything Dismemberment have dished up before, its stripped-down, tremeloed riffage conjuring up Cthulhu and his cohorts.<br />
<br />
"Born to Consume" wraps up <i><b>Embrace the Dark</b></i> with Dismemberment as sonic Übermensch, poised above the planet, gazing upon a species it has surpassed - albeit less benevolently than anything Kubrick or Clarke ever imagined. Dismemberment instead go full circle, a beast shrouded in human trappings and possessed of a progressive intellect bent on a stratagem of savagery homo sapiens has yet to suffer - <i>chaos unfolding, spiraling out, the seed of damnation, a creature born to consume.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/CjUHKR5ndKk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>Note: As Dismemberment were a vital component of this blog's energy,
growth and an inspiration for the record label that stemmed from its
contents, it is only fitting that their full-length debut, which I have
been wishing for since first hearing the band, will serve as the last review posted here. While my passion for music grows daily, the rest of daily life has changed significantly and time and access to bands, blogs and everything required to stay relevant has dwindled. The label itself will likely wind down shortly and, as I turn off the lights one by one, it is with immense respect and gratitude to Dismemberment, whose members personify everything that is good about music, especially metal: intelligence, wit, generosity, a tireless work ethic and the astounding capacity for perpetual growth in their craft and soundscape. These guys are the real deal. In my book there are none better. Thank you to Jacob, Luke, Taylor and J.D. - your music has changed my life for the better.</i>Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-6972270254275065592013-12-24T15:56:00.002-05:002013-12-24T15:56:35.962-05:00Top (5x2) for 2013I went and posted this year's Ten Best-Of on the excellent analog-worship blog, <b>Summoning Spirits</b>. <a href="http://summoningspirits.net/2013/12/24/year-end-list-by-mark-nichols-of-gogmagogical-records/" target="_blank">Read up on my top five times two here</a>.Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-79478981582677295662013-10-27T16:23:00.000-04:002013-10-27T16:29:16.029-04:00Black Sunday: Harding Street Assembly Lab 10" Splits (2012)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuija4oOWJPenubotE4yvAU_IJFawvg-GP8QrbA7kvcs49e2TuJYFJg4WEmjUzLlhHNLkuHyR34yES7BcHDpwaowDq6esmSv3rUx_BiUY2Puq1ooeAy3W_gxG6Rh64yo_sq9U0lmiJ1Gw/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuija4oOWJPenubotE4yvAU_IJFawvg-GP8QrbA7kvcs49e2TuJYFJg4WEmjUzLlhHNLkuHyR34yES7BcHDpwaowDq6esmSv3rUx_BiUY2Puq1ooeAy3W_gxG6Rh64yo_sq9U0lmiJ1Gw/s200/068.JPG" width="200" /></a>A recent weekend trip for a family wedding found me in the Blue Ridge Mountain community of Lynchburg, Virginia and, with a Saturday afternoon to kill, I fired up <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-vinyl-district/id478314117" target="_blank">the Vinyl District app</a> on my phone and, lo and behold, found an independent record store, <a href="http://speakertreerecords.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Speakertree Records</a>, a few hundred yards away from my hotel.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCCLnPACNTQc032hyAwS7I25CcFNwtR3VTETU0wIPCY-1Zpc7FBWuthI7GON5hvWWNNYPIQL4lXpb-luoHrAVPlLYZ6ckVmsrZ5CBhspxd3ZwF5F4oOH52_xB7UNjNwkiO1xasxzrNjY/s1600/079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCCLnPACNTQc032hyAwS7I25CcFNwtR3VTETU0wIPCY-1Zpc7FBWuthI7GON5hvWWNNYPIQL4lXpb-luoHrAVPlLYZ6ckVmsrZ5CBhspxd3ZwF5F4oOH52_xB7UNjNwkiO1xasxzrNjY/s320/079.JPG" width="320" /></a>Speakertree's wares were devoid of my usual metal desires but they had a healthy stock of indie label vinyl and I was immediately drawn to a trio of 10" records unified by a simple single-colored print stamped onto their jackets. Without bothering to look up the artists or ask about the contents within, I snatched up all three, took 'em home and only later dug into what I was hearing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJBMJ83DVPuSllPANRWD1-gjP-PjrSoygaJRSnwk08Yaq4xvgv3G5FUFW-_lybStSneDytiZ1jyNSn5zz2iWgtiDhLKDw1ME-OHy_hw8WEldEQV_0MXBkP7RDOFnnFYRBw0MJQcYxNPQ/s1600/070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJBMJ83DVPuSllPANRWD1-gjP-PjrSoygaJRSnwk08Yaq4xvgv3G5FUFW-_lybStSneDytiZ1jyNSn5zz2iWgtiDhLKDw1ME-OHy_hw8WEldEQV_0MXBkP7RDOFnnFYRBw0MJQcYxNPQ/s200/070.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Turns out the label, <a href="http://hardingstreet.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Harding Street Assembly Lab</a>, was also local to Lynchburg and <a href="http://hardingstreet.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/crazy-from-the-heat/" target="_blank">their last blog post</a>, from 2012, indicates that they owned the record store, too. The contents of the records are six sides of moody, largely instrumental, collegiate art and noise rock, not something I would generally actively seek out. That said, I like the project's approach: a label act on the A-side with a friend of the label occupying the B-side. I imagine this is a win-win strategy in terms of financing and, of course, exposure and applaud the ingenuity here.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iFNaS04GClsbc0jzHaWSSYy3no_CgAjOLF7mC56eCGhV5kDJ0nhHQnRnuWhYultrD3xF9CR3vAargvZgYJZuSS61GdySvnP4012SKfoJpwERqLu2jXoC_A3KDc8qIPHeuxiCpfXd6Ng/s1600/076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iFNaS04GClsbc0jzHaWSSYy3no_CgAjOLF7mC56eCGhV5kDJ0nhHQnRnuWhYultrD3xF9CR3vAargvZgYJZuSS61GdySvnP4012SKfoJpwERqLu2jXoC_A3KDc8qIPHeuxiCpfXd6Ng/s320/076.JPG" width="320" /></a>The presentation of each of the records is pretty fantastic. The aesthetic is simple and generally well-executed. The prints, pulling from Greek mythology, are fine and clean and the records' center labels are minimal with only the catalogue numbers and artist names presented on a stark white label. The label's own logo occupies the reverse of the glossy white jacket and each album also includes a two-sided full-color insert on heavy stock with varying amounts of specific track, session and artist information.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2FxG1IJee3OupVlDjRwwPhMifmU_K_CFjlNYCwSq36ASYYjuBw-TtG7WaBPsxDH5I1JRxeaZpDB4wz9Xx1Is4mupsBQ9PShbIbuYGqMWW1icKeXfGfFmFsdnSahSLJ59BheTCpmxG9M/s1600/069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2FxG1IJee3OupVlDjRwwPhMifmU_K_CFjlNYCwSq36ASYYjuBw-TtG7WaBPsxDH5I1JRxeaZpDB4wz9Xx1Is4mupsBQ9PShbIbuYGqMWW1icKeXfGfFmFsdnSahSLJ59BheTCpmxG9M/s320/069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The vinyl itself is heavy and clean and the multicolor blends are generally well-matched to the colors of the prints on the jackets. HSAL16 is a predominantly slate-colored slab with enough purple highlights to complement the Minotaur and Theseus on the front. HSAL 19 is laregly a deep pumpkin hue with streaking traces of green similar to what I am guessing is Heracles and Thanatos in combat on the cover. Here the vinyl itself, poorly described as "burgundy" on the label's blog, really matches nicely with the Guilty Ghosts' side of the insert. Finally, HSAL17 provides my favorite of the records, visually, with a rich brown blend that matches precisely with Hercules and the Hydra on the jacket.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ti4SPkIpGhn86q7l9JHWi-F-LBJm4dH8EsEaTk_a833QwtlEEHrfjLJ28bs4CO3wSgXO3TJfJIZqVI9-lyXXlydn-Y21xvemDCW68ZDJnkRo9Q36LZ1LaCV4Wk8MeieLyXsysPI7nt8/s1600/082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ti4SPkIpGhn86q7l9JHWi-F-LBJm4dH8EsEaTk_a833QwtlEEHrfjLJ28bs4CO3wSgXO3TJfJIZqVI9-lyXXlydn-Y21xvemDCW68ZDJnkRo9Q36LZ1LaCV4Wk8MeieLyXsysPI7nt8/s320/082.JPG" width="320" /></a>All in all, the Harding Street Assembly Lab 10" trio is a find I love. The handmade work is both a blessing and a curse, though, as I love the effort that goes into these but find myself a little disappointed with some sloppiness here and there (HSAL17 has an off-center, incomplete print with some smudges above that indicate errant ink was wiped away - I would have saved this record out as a second at a reduced price). Still, said sloppiness also adds to the charm and unique aspect of releases such as these. While it's likely not a label I will return to as the music within just isn't my thing, it's the perfect souvenir from a long weekend and the best way I can think of the leave a little money in the local economy and arts scene.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://hardingstreet.bandcamp.com/album/hsal-16-split-10-1" target="_blank">HSAL16</a> and <a href="http://hardingstreet.bandcamp.com/album/hsal-19-split-10-3" target="_blank">HSAL19</a> still appear on the label's Bandcamp site as available for purchase on vinyl at $12.00 each with <a href="http://hardingstreet.bandcamp.com/album/hsal-17-split-10-2" target="_blank">HSAL17</a> listed as sold out. All were produced as pressings of 100 each. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQvZ2_VzlTg9OM_QDRZkCkm_wKgS6gsFWbF-HQ72smqQcuhUJlSpOw2Us2FgZuba6MixMyX1l6r5A7VuxlPXv5fHKZdCm48Kq8wFdaige1Ucm2ArIe9Mv4-uyg72sQrPhf4bJsYQkJyk/s1600/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQvZ2_VzlTg9OM_QDRZkCkm_wKgS6gsFWbF-HQ72smqQcuhUJlSpOw2Us2FgZuba6MixMyX1l6r5A7VuxlPXv5fHKZdCm48Kq8wFdaige1Ucm2ArIe9Mv4-uyg72sQrPhf4bJsYQkJyk/s400/080.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-90708897994877692322013-10-07T19:14:00.000-04:002013-10-07T19:33:20.625-04:00Transparent Vinyl: This is Great Until it Sucks.Kids today would say I am butthurt. They're probably right (whatever that really means). Viewing this blog as a DIY guide to starting (and/or wrecking) a record label, though, I thought some may find this exchange interesting, amusing and hopefully somehow educational on the subject of review submissions. I guess I'm really just posting this as a "what did I do wrong," looking for assurance that it ain't me, it's them. It's a long one, so I'll keep the commentary throughout to a minimum.<br />
<br />
The set-up is this: while I rely on <a href="http://theblackbirch.net/" target="_blank">The Black Birch</a> for PR and digital review submissions, I still have been handling any physical copies of the vinyl I send out for review. As these are precious and few - and each one sets me back its cost plus postage - I try to solicit sites that not only focus on the music we love but also the vinyl format and the little details that make our releases special.<br />
<br />
I found such a site in mid-August. I commented on a post and, on August 19th, got a direct message on Facebook from the blog's owner. You can see below how everything unfolded. I have left every post in the thread in, editing only to disguise any items that may ID the blog or author. I'm not angry and don't want to single them out for any ire. I'm a little confused and really just want to share the frustration that can occur with just a single effort to get a record some exposure. I don't know why this went the way it did - perhaps it was just a true change of heart, perhaps it sat too long and just felt like too much effort - regardless, I'm out about $25 worth of vinyl plus international postage. Thing is, I still love this blog and this author's contributions. I'll still continue to read and share and comment. It's great. Until it feels too contrived, marketed and paint-by-numbers.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 19</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hey guys,
I'm the founder of [blog] and the dude who [composes the reviews]. Please feel
free to let me know if you'd like us to consider your stuff for future reviews.
I visited your pages and love how you do things, keep it punk/metal!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hey, […] much appreciated. We would definitely love to have releases
considered for review. Only three thus far but if any interest you, let me know
where to ship and I'll get some in the mail:<br /> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hey man,
nice hearing from you. We generally only review full length releases and would
be happy to check out what you have to offer. 7"s aren't reviewed, but we
do listen to everything and, if we like what we hear, keep our eyes and ears
open for future releases. If you feel that it's worth it for us to listen to it
anyway, we will be happy to oblige.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Basically,
we understand how hard it is for the small guy to keep putting out great music,
and we KNOW that it costs you guys a lot of money to produce and ship vinyl for
review. We don't take that shit for granted, so I'd rather be honest and up
front with everyone we deal with. If we like the 7" releases, it may not
get reviewed but that doesn't stop us from doing other promo with it. We're
here to help.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Very cool
- I'll put a package together and mail this week. To where and whom should I
ship?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[provides
address outside the USA]</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On its
way!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[<i>The day
the items were received, about a week later, I received a direct telephone call from the reviewer. I had put a business card in with my personal number and he reached out to say he had gotten the records and, while he hadn't played them yet, he was extremely impressed with the packaging, particularly the handmade Cold Blue Mountain and Fister jackets. Needless to say, I was psyched to get this call</i>]</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nice
talking to you earlier, looking very forward to hearing what you sound like!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Likewise -
thanks for taking the time to connect. Means a lot!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dude
what's the story with your label name</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am a fan
of archaic words. It was a word of the day meaning "tremendous". I got
taken with all the consonants - stuck with me for a long time</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That and a
lot more covered here: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fthesludgelord.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F05%2F20-questions-w-gogmagogical-records.html&h=JAQHfFoFG&s=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://thesludgelord.blogspot.com/2013/05/20-questions-w-gogmagogical-records.html</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It breaks
my tonsils. GOG Records it is.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cold Blue
Mountain is amazing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And it was
just announced today their vocalist is on the upcoming season of Amazing Race.
Bizarre, yet cool exposure, too</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">dude, this
has very strong potential.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Billy
Corgan type riffs sometimes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am
biased but think it's amazing how it is impossible to pigeonhole into genre
trappings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">August 28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">how many
copies of this were pressed?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">its very
well written and not generic at all</span><br />
<br />
[<i>three weeks pass without a word...</i>]</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">u around?
Will be posting a review of CBM. Pure insanity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kinda.
Working with only iPhone access but should be able to see/spread the word!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Can I make
a suggestion?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Absolutely</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shorten
your label name to Gog, or GOG Records. No one can pronouce Gognagocial, and no
one will wanna say it</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GOG
Records is short, memorable, and fits perfectly with your logo and sound</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You're
right on. We're getting there. Recently expanded to a GOG logo incorporated in
a patch and store banner. There exists a band (and a film) named Gog I want to
make sure I don't run into problems there but we are of one mind overall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dude, this
CBM is just massive. Is vinyl still available?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gonna be [prepping
the review] today</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is. The
blue and white is band-exclusive but I have plenty of black vinyl (and for what
it's worth, the black is label-exclusive). Why so many buyers eschew black now
is a whole other post...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
20</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I prefer
black vinyl</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br />
[<i>...another week passes...</i>]<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hey, just
wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know I haven't forgotten you. Cheers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No worries
and no rush - appreciate it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September
28</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had a review
done but I didn't think it was up to par, so I gotta redo it</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br />
[<i>...and another week passes and I get this...</i>]<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">October 6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">working on
review now, having a helluva time</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">October 6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Second
failure dude. I can't provide a very good review.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love the
sound, production, song structures</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But somehow
the band feels too contrived and marketed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The songs
are solid and sound great but they feel a bit paint by numbers, borrowing from
a bunch of great musical elements, and doing all of them solidly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br /></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">October 6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;">Gogmagogical
Records</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
understand. To each his own. I really appreciate the time you put into trying.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">October 6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[Reviewer]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: .75in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks so
much for your understanding, and thanks for submitting your lps</span></div>
Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-48021099462577159682013-10-06T16:05:00.001-04:002013-10-06T16:15:25.500-04:00Black Sunday: Slaves BC / Cousin Sleaze - Split 7" (2013)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZirzjwZpRwlDJbWY_9m9Jwh0q2JZPxhP1E8RpRcyh1CoQUBS-BdDVgNcG-mPcAnmK4mA2-TrYKIopA31z9KWrEcmEqdBCe2OgjIvIsWeY_SgzB4XskVBygDulJJBzL0IEMuSKGkSb8g8/s1600/Slaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZirzjwZpRwlDJbWY_9m9Jwh0q2JZPxhP1E8RpRcyh1CoQUBS-BdDVgNcG-mPcAnmK4mA2-TrYKIopA31z9KWrEcmEqdBCe2OgjIvIsWeY_SgzB4XskVBygDulJJBzL0IEMuSKGkSb8g8/s320/Slaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Pittsburgh's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SlavesBC" target="_blank">Slaves BC</a>, a favorite of this <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/search/label/slaves%20bc" target="_blank">blog</a> since I found them in August of 2012, is a band I've been longing to have on the shelf in the vinyl format (hell, they're a band I wish I had on my own label). While a full-length is still forthcoming (from <a href="http://www.veritasvinyl.net/" target="_blank">Veritas Vinyl</a>, I believe), the band have satisfied the appetite for now with a self-released split with New York hardcore act, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cousin.sleaze" target="_blank">Cousin Sleaze</a>. With just a total of seven minutes of music across seven inches of vinyl, each band delivers a short, sharp and shocking blast of sound smartly housed in a simple package. Slaves BC give us "Place Axe to Root" and Cousin Sleaze turn in "Indecision."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8EGNMXfdAyTwGWoAITjUjp1wrsRMWt2pBpxoyouetemI1lBLJriCXyo_Z6QNEbuZ8QtCLzMbUO74pm_-0F6QR5iobVmXmLYcAKc2Gi0jeKSwKYP-W62W_WfvMF2T4-KtlkzYyDAPhq4/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8EGNMXfdAyTwGWoAITjUjp1wrsRMWt2pBpxoyouetemI1lBLJriCXyo_Z6QNEbuZ8QtCLzMbUO74pm_-0F6QR5iobVmXmLYcAKc2Gi0jeKSwKYP-W62W_WfvMF2T4-KtlkzYyDAPhq4/s200/005.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i appreciate a large hole.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://burzum.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">Chris Smith</a> of Grey Aria Design Studio put together a stellar sleeve in shades of gray whose bones and binding recall the aesthetic of the iconic Pushead but keep things appropriately blackened for the content within (but also check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=715091981840716&set=gm.335753233226768&type=1&theater" target="_blank">his killer poster for an upcoming Mutilation Rites show</a> to see how this guy can fill a larger canvas). I'm not sure who actually pressed the vinyl but each variant - 100 each of black, white and clear - are clean to look at and listen to. The black and white center labels carry the same design as the jacket's reverse and the entire record exudes a no-frills, utilitarian vibe. "Would you prefer to be fucked up with sound," it asks, "or would you rather we give you colors and stickers?" Yeah, the first one.<br />
<br />
Pick who you love more and get it from them. Better yet, grab one or more from each. It's worth noting that each purchase on Bandcamp doubles the music with an extra track available for download from each band ("To My Beloved Bride" from Slaves BC and "Begin Again" from Cousin Sleaze):<br />
<br />
<a href="http://cousinsleaze.bandcamp.com/album/slaves-bc-cousin-sleaze-split" target="_blank">http://cousinsleaze.bandcamp.com/album/slaves-bc-cousin-sleaze-split</a><br />
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=602870651/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://cousinsleaze.bandcamp.com/album/slaves-bc-cousin-sleaze-split">Slaves BC/Cousin Sleaze Split by Cousin Sleaze</a></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://slavesbc.bandcamp.com/album/slaves-bc-cousin-sleaze-split" target="_blank">http://slavesbc.bandcamp.com/album/slaves-bc-cousin-sleaze-split</a><br />
<br />
<iframe seamless="" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2282700560/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 120px; width: 100%;"><a href="http://slavesbc.bandcamp.com/album/slaves-bc-cousin-sleaze-split">Slaves BC/Cousin Sleaze Split by Slaves BC</a></iframe><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xsoDm5kjCvDFe2bbAre_7vHJEJgNAExkuIL6jIanE3OSA6qQrjNBTlyXUwqettshZuCGdJ8TwJh-vHIRS0EZo7M8ksnycL21JSUMDdiDWbxt6QyaV4AdoYJH87poQHTJQf2alpkSMGM/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xsoDm5kjCvDFe2bbAre_7vHJEJgNAExkuIL6jIanE3OSA6qQrjNBTlyXUwqettshZuCGdJ8TwJh-vHIRS0EZo7M8ksnycL21JSUMDdiDWbxt6QyaV4AdoYJH87poQHTJQf2alpkSMGM/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-40268185871956211472013-09-01T17:46:00.001-04:002013-09-01T17:46:45.303-04:00Choice Cuts... Head to Sludgelord for Halloween III : Season Of The Witch (Original Soundtrack)I skipped this <b>Black Sunday </b>to <a href="http://thesludgelord.blogspot.com/2013/09/choice-cuts-recommendation-of-week.html" target="_blank">guest post on the <b>Sludgelord</b> Blog</a>. All you lucky kids with Silver Shamrock masks, gather 'round your TV set, put on your masks and watch. All witches, all skeletons, all Jack-O-Lanterns, gather 'round and watch. Watch the magic pumpkin. Watch...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHyJ4bQ8J_3g15lsbG9v6gQcyhJqQ3DZTXRRm63bxqlQyp-pQmJ9KicZ6fCMWg0gjUJ4MODT_iFkxMk0oMIbdR3mr_O7dBkhOxgyRp-wDSdFcV1ZMlpMPMYWDjIvSffgEu5HbxRCSiCc/s1600/H3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHyJ4bQ8J_3g15lsbG9v6gQcyhJqQ3DZTXRRm63bxqlQyp-pQmJ9KicZ6fCMWg0gjUJ4MODT_iFkxMk0oMIbdR3mr_O7dBkhOxgyRp-wDSdFcV1ZMlpMPMYWDjIvSffgEu5HbxRCSiCc/s400/H3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-40753000272663163892013-08-25T11:34:00.001-04:002013-08-25T11:43:10.865-04:00Black Sunday: Author & Punisher - Ursus Americanus (2012) & Women & Children (2013)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkoO-L0Hj8yn20-SEdAYyNPsmbDq6Nk1geejQe7SnI2GCsjxLrMYg_MGD_HcChPUI6kdPtdD3DzEH34xZHFO8gBpq66FFjcjynJLYaBRxz0ZsTaftEsg-jxa2rzgSY8mER5sjwcsHQuQ/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkoO-L0Hj8yn20-SEdAYyNPsmbDq6Nk1geejQe7SnI2GCsjxLrMYg_MGD_HcChPUI6kdPtdD3DzEH34xZHFO8gBpq66FFjcjynJLYaBRxz0ZsTaftEsg-jxa2rzgSY8mER5sjwcsHQuQ/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Tristan Shone's <a href="http://www.tristanshone.com/" target="_blank">Author & Punisher</a> has been one of the more exciting musical discoveries I have made in the last year, kicking off my collection with their <a href="http://shop.seventhrule.com/" target="_blank">Seventh Rule</a> debut, <i><b>Ursus Americanus</b></i>. I enjoy Author & Punisher's sound so much that they are one of the very few acts for which I have purchased releases in multiple formats with some receiving my money three times for compact disc, digital and vinyl variations of their releases.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__A0KNQlTK-2qrCpwnYR3ZztA39SBsYE6IOFtj1kPI_4QkY-fHjctrJSVtm9meEio6fzEEyBZASbpKQyUIBy7gkJgBaIRxAeW-_gEJ0NQBgAHfc3Awvm-FxK3brWgpsd0gWr-X7sMBTc/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__A0KNQlTK-2qrCpwnYR3ZztA39SBsYE6IOFtj1kPI_4QkY-fHjctrJSVtm9meEio6fzEEyBZASbpKQyUIBy7gkJgBaIRxAeW-_gEJ0NQBgAHfc3Awvm-FxK3brWgpsd0gWr-X7sMBTc/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a>I believe only the Seventh Rule releases have been realized in the vinyl format and both are spectacular samples of the medium. <i><b>Ursus Americanus</b></i> saw its first pressing in a gray and black blend with a rich gold center label. While the vinyl itself is beautiful, the matte cover layout by Scot Seguine incorporating a photo by Robert Kozek is a stellar shot of man and machines at work. A single-sided insert is accompanied by a fantastic 18x24" poster of a drone machine. While black vinyl is also an option, it appears as if this first pressing has sold out with a <a href="http://shop.seventhrule.com/collections/seventh-rule-releases/products/author-punisher-ursus-americanus-lp" target="_blank">second pressing</a> now available with 220 copies in "tiger gold" closely matching the center label available.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZczYAYoLbBSXCaZGvV2gX0f3pgIGBpm6s0Spq_qCk8XaoM8CwRbkjq0XUtKLi1tEk5VZ8aOrcIEb72oVmR7TdBUW6MxNRI15yVSkD0FQ5aGHeBTIh-lAecB_ZEiMrtVzFptOudqvqXc/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZczYAYoLbBSXCaZGvV2gX0f3pgIGBpm6s0Spq_qCk8XaoM8CwRbkjq0XUtKLi1tEk5VZ8aOrcIEb72oVmR7TdBUW6MxNRI15yVSkD0FQ5aGHeBTIh-lAecB_ZEiMrtVzFptOudqvqXc/s320/021.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="http://shop.seventhrule.com/collections/seventh-rule-releases/products/author-punisher-women-children-lp" target="_blank"><i><b>Women & Children</b></i></a> followed fairly quickly, released August 20 of 2013, and again saw a black vinyl release accompanied by 100 of white and black splatter. While I could not discern the plant used for <i><b>Ursus Americanus</b></i>, <i><b>Women & Children</b></i> is a Pirate's Press product and it shows. The tones used are beautiful, even in black and white, with an almost blue blend present amidst the splatter. The reverse board jacket is a gorgeous stark black and white as well with artwork from Scott McPherson. A heavy inner sleeve incorporates more artwork and eliminates the need for an additional insert. Alas, there's no poster here this time but I was please to see the record's center label carry over the cover's inverted pyramid, much as <i><b>Ursus Americanus</b></i> unified each element with the bear paw outline.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYAq4qg6sKlyKAHj9oT6cxhgznO8_BGwealILgHUZxGanzTrJ2c5s7GBN10vM06ocZm5r6UIJGy7z5emuAGyPKsIOpy5EebtqwqBBZrfJ28C6MXEGEVOxbsrGs7gZkajU949_a4_eJbU/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYAq4qg6sKlyKAHj9oT6cxhgznO8_BGwealILgHUZxGanzTrJ2c5s7GBN10vM06ocZm5r6UIJGy7z5emuAGyPKsIOpy5EebtqwqBBZrfJ28C6MXEGEVOxbsrGs7gZkajU949_a4_eJbU/s320/022.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
Both of Seventh Rule's Author & Punisher releases in the vinyl format look and sound amazing. The attention to detail is matched only by the quality of the sound. Each do a magnificent job of marrying those analog and digital elements of the project itself and the balance struck here, much like the music within, is nothing short of thrilling.<br />
<br />Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-58604688661864187722013-08-20T13:06:00.000-04:002013-08-20T13:10:58.067-04:00The $45.99 RecordThis YouTube post by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/VinylJunkies666?feature=watch" target="_blank">VinylJunkies666</a> has hit our label's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GogmagogicalRecords" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/gogmagogical" target="_blank">Twitter</a> but is worth reposting here. Here are the facts for Gogmagogical Records and, very likely, many other small labels. At limited quantities of 300-500, a 12" record with printed jackets costs very close to $10 a record to produce. At 12,000, such as <a href="http://www.relapse.com/whales-leeches-deluxe-lp-red.html" target="_blank">the Relapse release in question</a>, even with a full-color deluxe gatefold and custom colors, they're likely looking at $4-5 for a single disc, not quite twice for a double-LP. Even if it cost twice as much it would be insanely marked-up. Anyone who has looked into pressing vinyl knows the price breaks that come with high quantities and a power player like Relapse has it all over small indies and zero excuse for this kind of gouging.<br />
<br />
We make $1-2/record, tops. Two of our three releases thus far are actually priced at a net loss. <i>Every penny</i> goes back into the next record. If I want to release more, I need to sell more. Not one cent goes into my pocket. Of course, the dream would be that someday a label could serve as an income and become a full-time job. Know what I would have to do to make that happen? Pressing 12,000 records and selling them at $45.99 apiece would be a start. In lieu of that, I'm satisfied to work 9-5 for someone else to support my family, press and sell 300 records at $10 each in my off hours and finance the next record in full. The fans can buy more music, the bands can sell more music and I can make more records. Happiness achieved all around.<br />
<br />
Please continue to support the small guys and, above all, remember vinyl is first and foremost about the music. We all love fondling records but if we feed the beast $45 to do so, none of us will be able to afford our habits for very long.<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CmwgkbgFC3k" width="420"></iframe></center>
<br />
Please take a moment and share the above video. It's the most concise, simple and passionate statement I've seen on the subject in a while that obviously comes from a music lover.
Thanks!Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-7780323771743908372013-08-15T18:36:00.000-04:002013-08-15T18:54:58.829-04:00Danzig 25th Anniversary - August 14, 2013 - Newport Music Hall, Columbus, Ohio <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6ylSI_hO8mUbzkRJ91zmkuyRFWKMUjk9Pbohv326b9vhapFJZJjilUb3A7n52hO3RUMrYDgYEYdaR_itBtWQgJCYOK0_xNgQXJzwSRaWn3oe8fA5fNNZMs589_6DYh2yxvJiaAXt01E/s1600/Danzig25AugAdMat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6ylSI_hO8mUbzkRJ91zmkuyRFWKMUjk9Pbohv326b9vhapFJZJjilUb3A7n52hO3RUMrYDgYEYdaR_itBtWQgJCYOK0_xNgQXJzwSRaWn3oe8fA5fNNZMs589_6DYh2yxvJiaAXt01E/s320/Danzig25AugAdMat.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
Wednesday evening found me at the Newport Music Hall for the third time in my life and every time I have been at the Newport it has been to see Danzig. First, in 1992 in support of <i><b>Danzig III</b></i> and again in April of 1995 on the <i><b>4p</b></i> tour whose December '94 leg also found me watching Danzig at Hara Arena in Dayton. With nearly 20 years eclipsed since my last Danzig live show, the 25th Anniversary performance was a long, long time coming. <br />
<br />
Happily, the Newport is a superb venue. A sizable theatre, it has a large stage, generous floor and multiple tiered levels in the rear and along the sides of the venue as well as a huge balcony, allowing for those who do not wish to mosh to still catch a great view of the show. Acoustics are good and volume has always been ample. Others have noted and I second that the lighting effects at the Newport are much better than most venues that host metal acts - as a result the show feels <i>big</i>.<br />
<br />
And big it was. This was Danzig. And Doyle. A Silver Anniversary and a Misfits set. Expectations were high and I would be lying if I didn't admit I was a little worried that the man and the band may disappoint. I had to wait through a few openers, though, to find out.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Among all of the acts I have seen over the last few decades, Danzig has always stood out due to his strong choices for openers. '92 saw Kyuss and White Zombie in support. '94 was Godflesh and Type O Negative. '95 was a very young and powerful Korn and Marilyn Manson. I do not know, then, how he found himself saddled with Huntress and Scar the Martyr for this event and truly hope it isn't a reflection of what has otherwise proven to be excellent taste. Huntress are best known for their topless promo shots of frontwoman Jill Janus. Their performance, kicked off with the radio single, "Spell Eater," was a laughable attempt at classic metal theatre in the vein of King Diamond. It's too bad the band doesn't have the songs - or the vocal talent - to pull off the act. Traipsing around with a cape and posing over a fan to set her hair aloft, I ended up feeling sorry for Jill Janus as she announced the Lemmy-penned "I Want to Fuck You to Death." When you ask Lemmy to write a song for you and this is what he returns I kind of figure he may not be giving you his very best and, in fact, you may have missed his message altogether.<br />
<br />
Scar the Martyr is apparently a Slipknot side project. Slipknot is not a band I care for but Scar the Martyr is a band I genuinely dislike. I do not know how six guys could collectively create music entirely lacking hooks and heaviness but they somehow succeeded and, in doing so, failed miserably.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2A7enjpq7KScOEP1iEIpi-m71N6Nma63EKmHBpNJNEG1peTX4aLF1_kr1dxfdZdc2bwF2wqco8NK_ACpyU2hhwE7Ml0l8e3nf5X3IryfztBdavSyEumVTpanUocm0fqPk66zhqqGsA8/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2A7enjpq7KScOEP1iEIpi-m71N6Nma63EKmHBpNJNEG1peTX4aLF1_kr1dxfdZdc2bwF2wqco8NK_ACpyU2hhwE7Ml0l8e3nf5X3IryfztBdavSyEumVTpanUocm0fqPk66zhqqGsA8/s200/016.JPG" width="148" /></a>Photos were not permitted and security even warned all as we waited outside that a cell phone at shoulder height would be enough to get you ejected. It's a shame because Danzig's set dressing was impressive. Circle of Snakes monoliths flanked an elevated drum riser with additional horned skull statuary behind the amplifiers. A massive classic skull logo banner filled the rear wall and the band's own light rigs provided a nice atmosphere in addition to that provided by the venue. Photos aside, merch was the only other real pain point of the evening. There were several tees from which to choose, the lowest priced at a shocking $40 that exceeded the admission charge. I bought one, of course, but was admittedly disappointed with both the price and lack of inspiration in the designs.<br />
<br />
After a long stage turnover, Danzig took the stage at 10:30 to the sound of Glenn's own "Overture of the Rebel Angels." Glenn was, as usual, head to toe, black (as was everyone else) with the massive skull belt buckle and inverted cross necklace in place. The band immediately tore into "Skincarver," an exceptional, powerful track from personal favorite <i><b>Circle of Snakes</b></i>. Glenn told the crowd only a couple recent songs would be performed before delving into the backcatalogue and the band launched into <i><b>Deth Red Sabaoth</b></i>'s "Hammer of the Gods," also a powerhouse that most in attendance seemed to know. It was immediately apparent that a decade or so away from the Columbus area had left local fans hungering. "Twist of Cain," then, set everyone raging and the floor became a moshing, crowd-surfing mass that didn't stop for the rest of the evening.<br />
<br />
There's been a lot of fun poked at Danzig forever, really. Be it backstage brush-ups, moody demands to promoters, bricks in his yard or even cat litter shopping, the internet seems to love Glenn Danzig gossip. A lot of it is understandable given that the man has always maintained an intense persona and anything breaking from that image seems game for mockery. Add in jabs that his weight is up and his voice shot and it can make a concertgoer wary. My own experiences at his shows prove some of this out. Seeing two separate shows on both legs of the <i><b>4p</b></i> tour, one was absolutely on fire and the other tepid. At the latter, my last experience with Danzig at the Newport, he seemed disinterested and absolutely disengaged. Same band, same songs, but not the same performance (granted, in that early-internet era none of us knew the band was disintegrating entirely). Wednesday night, though, was an electric Glenn Danzig. Yes, the waist is thicker and the hair thinner but, hell, the man is nearing 60 years old. Despite the years, Glenn was immediately energetic, talkative and interacted with the crowd throughout the whole evening. He seemed as excited to be there as we were and, believe me, that makes a hell of a difference. Glenn's voice was not the consistent boom that I recall from my youth but I chalk this up to equipment, the mix and, yes, age. That said, going back this morning and replaying those American Recordings records, Glenn's voice currently sounds very similar to the 1988 debut. Strong? Yes. As exercised and muscular as the <i><b>II</b></i>-<i><b>III </b></i>years? No. But the man can still bellow. This was apparent as he launched into "Am I Demon" with a ferocity that made the years melt away.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe3m3q1aI6VggkLcF9MzXXpJV4xYTgcYSKexREZGrbBV3QiANd-Jol4yvYH0F-j4EgZ82ujtSqjjwWL4QLKRUUbKChK9a8pwhPmyDw8itiLX35LozGYMwQvNY8sYzk36WwfEIeKHCyzg/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe3m3q1aI6VggkLcF9MzXXpJV4xYTgcYSKexREZGrbBV3QiANd-Jol4yvYH0F-j4EgZ82ujtSqjjwWL4QLKRUUbKChK9a8pwhPmyDw8itiLX35LozGYMwQvNY8sYzk36WwfEIeKHCyzg/s200/018.JPG" width="149" /></a>We all collectively traveled to the past and we stayed there. "Her Black Wings" and "Devil's Plaything" brought the proceedings to a fever pitch before Danzig did a 180 and delivered "Blood and Tears." Any doubt that the man can sing was immediately decimated. Neither volume nor instrumentation stood in the way of one of the better ballads in heavy metal history and Danzig nailed it. A one-two punch of "Dirty Black Summer" and the killer title track from <i><b>How the Gods Kill</b></i> rounded out the first set before the Annihilator's grating chords announced the arrival of the beast that was Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein.<br />
<br />
I have only seen Doyle onstage once before, during a Graves-era Misfits show on Halloween of 1999. If he was big then he's downright huge now. Doyle was in his classic modern-era Misfits garb with Crimson Skull armbands replaced with his own personal logo. Entirely muscles and menace, Doyle tore into "Death Comes Ripping," segueing almost immediately into "Vampira."By the time the band finished "I Turned Into a Martian" Glenn was grinning for ear to ear and offered the audience a say in the next number. He threw out "London Dungeon" and "We Are 138" as choices but the audience roared in approval at the prospect of "Skulls" and that's what they got. Next, Glenn proposed "Bullet" and "Earth A.D." before the crowd finally went crazy for "Astro Zombies." An audience-led "Last Caress" finished up Doyle's appearance and Danzig concluded their set with a stellar "Soul on Fire" and, of course, "Mother."<br />
<br />
The obligatory encore followed with Glenn stating he often allowed the audience to choose the last number but that an autograph-seeking fan had requested "She Rides." Whether this is true or not, it was an effective, unexpected addition and a nice return to the very blues-heavy roots of that eponymous first album. Doyle reappeared for a breakneck "Die, Die My Darling" and the band exited for the evening after a brilliant 90-minute performance. I snapped off a few blurry shots during "Die, Die My Darling" because, at that point, the place was berserk and the worse that could happen would be a 60-second headstart on the rest of the mob. <br />
<br />
I have to admit that, despite my devotion to Danzig's entire catalogue, I, like many, really revere those early "classic lineup" recordings. Likewise, the first shows I saw always featured John Christ and Eerie Von (though Joey Castillo was in place for the <i><b>4p </b></i>gigs). The sound was largely spot-on throughout the evening with Steve Zing cementing his own identity as lurching bassist and Tommy Victor maintaining his unique tone and stage presence that served the classics well without coming across as any attempt at a Christ clone. Their few backing vocal harmonies were the only questionable aspect for me as they never quite seemed to match the tone of the music. Type O's Johnny Kelly on drums took me back to that '94 show and, along with the Samhain DNA Zing brings to the table, it almost felt like a celebration not only of the history of Danzig the band but also of the extended family of music touched by this man. It's obvious Glenn was enjoying both his past and present and his visible appreciation for the fans was warming in an era where so many metal acts come off as disaffected. The feeling was mutual last night, the entire room abuzz and enlightened as the lights came up and, heading for the door, it felt like time had never mattered, never even passed. We were right where we needed to be right now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluAMw-OAL5uF_cECP7v3rRrJFqAOd4ZxHUwmdR8mbiSn6wN9f6frOthAdcca3vDL5PiBfK6qt1hd6iLp19Exv3psJkodQZhK8DCx5h64I1l65v3V5e_-YwS-fzLiWT32sLvPWp_FgqXc/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluAMw-OAL5uF_cECP7v3rRrJFqAOd4ZxHUwmdR8mbiSn6wN9f6frOthAdcca3vDL5PiBfK6qt1hd6iLp19Exv3psJkodQZhK8DCx5h64I1l65v3V5e_-YwS-fzLiWT32sLvPWp_FgqXc/s400/012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<u>August 14, 2013 Setlist:</u></div>
<ol>
<li>Skincarver</li>
<li>Hammer of the Gods</li>
<li>Twist of Cain</li>
<li>Am I Demon</li>
<li>Her Black Wings</li>
<li>Devil's Plaything</li>
<li>Blood and Tears</li>
<li>Dirty Black Summer</li>
<li>How the Gods Kill</li>
<li>Death Comes Ripping</li>
<li>Vampira</li>
<li>I Turned into a Martian</li>
<li>Skulls</li>
<li>Astro Zombies</li>
<li>Last Caress</li>
<li>Soul on Fire</li>
<li>Mother</li>
<i>Encore</i>
<li>She Rides</li>
<li>Die, Die My Darling </li>
</ol>
Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-91346243793885002302013-08-04T11:55:00.000-04:002013-08-04T11:55:10.166-04:00Black Sunday: Malignancy - Intrauterine Cannibalism (1999)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAZuwcTcnQY2AvB1MKa0uI14zKDU35u1RknUxWI6q0hOsvkYD_O6rXE97wFW69PsKzekCq65v6Yn5MaaSwiyK_wcoD-RbUWmYw3hTTFYl9kJizH9xeF5cNm7Ug6kg00gV7_vSrBCw_CM/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAZuwcTcnQY2AvB1MKa0uI14zKDU35u1RknUxWI6q0hOsvkYD_O6rXE97wFW69PsKzekCq65v6Yn5MaaSwiyK_wcoD-RbUWmYw3hTTFYl9kJizH9xeF5cNm7Ug6kg00gV7_vSrBCw_CM/s200/014.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
A fan of <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/search/label/dismemberment" target="_blank">Dismemberment</a> almost since this blog's inception, I have been fortunate enough to get to know guitarist <a href="https://twitter.com/_JacobShively" target="_blank">Jacob Shively</a> along this journey from blog to label and have been intensely excited to see his own label, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheGoatlord" target="_blank">Goatlord Records</a>, launch. Devoted to limited, special editions of classic metal records that have never before been released on vinyl, Goatlord's first release was <i><b>Intrauterine Cannibalism</b></i>, the infamous full-length debut of brutal death merchants <a href="http://malignancy.com/" target="_blank">Malignancy</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U39vBHSoorxMnyGBWfAw2FwVFlloFse6bXvKwQuwS1Yri9CVK3kApZQmrndYcdtZqWBmuj9ergEUnmuCr4iO3XKlJKqRvk2rF9wKGHZLjTEaU_qjsOEYo8b7HuSukiZurZ8vhDzHo48/s1600/malig08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U39vBHSoorxMnyGBWfAw2FwVFlloFse6bXvKwQuwS1Yri9CVK3kApZQmrndYcdtZqWBmuj9ergEUnmuCr4iO3XKlJKqRvk2rF9wKGHZLjTEaU_qjsOEYo8b7HuSukiZurZ8vhDzHo48/s200/malig08.jpg" width="200" /></a>Stepping back from my admiration for Jacob and his work I can still honestly say that this vinyl debut from Goatlord Records is easily one of the richest offerings I have seen for a reissue of an underground record. Offered in three colors, this 12" platter was immediately marketed properly with the tones (each limited to 100) described as "Endometrial Slime" (green), "Intrauterine Red" (and red and black splatter) and "Womb with a View" (clear). With a limited number of very fairly priced three-packs available for pre-order I wasted no time securing my copies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CA1aj_eU9R1SJPc-UIxr9S8NcLJoMxJOXLfQvYXgk3XTGASbVyLu29piSmKnc-rJ3aG_EVDtumxHfJIGps-uRmPZvsYIyvHVmCwCNcrPcpzvY-2dVR_Fo8l8ljHD5U0axlB2wa2tEQ4/s1600/Malig01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CA1aj_eU9R1SJPc-UIxr9S8NcLJoMxJOXLfQvYXgk3XTGASbVyLu29piSmKnc-rJ3aG_EVDtumxHfJIGps-uRmPZvsYIyvHVmCwCNcrPcpzvY-2dVR_Fo8l8ljHD5U0axlB2wa2tEQ4/s200/Malig01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Opening the records, I was floored by the details.The colors of <a href="http://www.opticmatador.com/" target="_blank">Juha Vuorma</a>'s cover illustration are staggeringly vibrant and also recreated on a 4x4" decal and 11x17 poster included inside each record. The posters themselves contain release information and album credits formatted like a movie poster and are hand-signed in gold ink by vocalist Danny Nelson and guitarist Ron Kachnic. One is currently being framed to hang in Gogmagogical Records HQ - they're that nice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-TzyI715UfEShFdT8emgmm6Ok0oTPOf6Ld3suCSR41PeT3p8P9pAGy2lg06ryn2s161mhSsI4auTlNajpWxz8_70ljo-0_jf-kQ51WoJ3l1EM9O3YAacbeTL-F6GqMKpnfX0Q2QaqzU/s1600/malig09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-TzyI715UfEShFdT8emgmm6Ok0oTPOf6Ld3suCSR41PeT3p8P9pAGy2lg06ryn2s161mhSsI4auTlNajpWxz8_70ljo-0_jf-kQ51WoJ3l1EM9O3YAacbeTL-F6GqMKpnfX0Q2QaqzU/s200/malig09.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Also worthy of a frame is the vinyl itself. Pressed at Ohio's own <a href="http://www.musicolrecording.com/" target="_blank">Musicol</a>, the discs are heavy and smooth and the colors vibrant. The "Endometrial Slime" is no simple "coke bottle" clear but carries tissue-like solid green flecks and streaks throughout. On the other hand, while true transparent clear vinyl itself may not be as exciting, it certainly is disappointing when it isn't clean. This isn't the case with the "Womb with a View" as it has zero residual traces of any past colors left on the press - it's like a crystal windowpane. Perfect. Finally, the "Intrauterine Red" is a magnificent black splatter pattern on an opaque red base and imparts the violence communicated by the record's title and lyrical themes. It's also worth adding that, when you finally get to playing <i><b>Intrauterine Cannibalism</b></i>, it sounds great, too (especially for an album whose own liner notes - from Danny Nelson - inform the listener that it has never been mastered).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzM0CgT-48ELuMGGd8rqN47HCg2Ph-_672kGX8HjnH8394hUE81RCeMuYb4xJWpJCq9tMJ1SaPW_aTqerYflviizONXAaJk1Loi_Ys3Yy3yX8RiYPRTkphkRW7ruU8u9UdB4LjAqlZbQ/s1600/Malig02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzM0CgT-48ELuMGGd8rqN47HCg2Ph-_672kGX8HjnH8394hUE81RCeMuYb4xJWpJCq9tMJ1SaPW_aTqerYflviizONXAaJk1Loi_Ys3Yy3yX8RiYPRTkphkRW7ruU8u9UdB4LjAqlZbQ/s200/Malig02.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The little details are what make <i><b>Intrauterine Cannibalism</b></i> on vinyl a grand slam. The two-sided insert is riddled with photos and poster reproductions. It also includes the aforementioned liner notes, providing a history of the album from its original release, and, alongside the lyrics, what appears to be Danny's original sketch for the record's jacket concept.<br />
<br />
Finally, the vinyl fanatic is rewarded by the record's center labels. Screamingly funny warnings grace the perimeter of each and this package is topped off as a complete and utter success.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFxT_EGGL8kZ81kWMBC_n4BE45uM55qUAv2KH7HFkIkfQ25SaLN8NlsSSi1o3ngaBXY66-rHgHA0wdR4me9I5SV2ngf_3F8IN7-zonPNrDgUb0kCu9cTcXaEXPQIrk4dYtocaIQYgQMw/s1600/malig06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFxT_EGGL8kZ81kWMBC_n4BE45uM55qUAv2KH7HFkIkfQ25SaLN8NlsSSi1o3ngaBXY66-rHgHA0wdR4me9I5SV2ngf_3F8IN7-zonPNrDgUb0kCu9cTcXaEXPQIrk4dYtocaIQYgQMw/s400/malig06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Click as fast as you can to <a href="http://goatlordrecords.myminto.com/" target="_blank">Goatlord Records' online store</a>. They're already hard at work on their next project and I have a feeling that, once <i><b>Intrauterine Cannibalism</b></i> has been devoured, those who missed out will suffer their own post fetal depression.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURljtphsokAgl_WjLok9bqeXZM043IewfMJ5qm_yKM5w020R93xePFMlBlpWDMBH7uG318g9vHAgMLcLNEnNXaRGsA5x96RoDIr0S9hhkpJIJQdZdBiH7LFA8QzMkNtcNED26ZposdLw/s1600/malig04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURljtphsokAgl_WjLok9bqeXZM043IewfMJ5qm_yKM5w020R93xePFMlBlpWDMBH7uG318g9vHAgMLcLNEnNXaRGsA5x96RoDIr0S9hhkpJIJQdZdBiH7LFA8QzMkNtcNED26ZposdLw/s320/malig04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-42917033988431587922013-07-21T10:13:00.000-04:002013-07-21T10:13:45.495-04:00Black Sunday: Test Pressings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5q6EXvlyEf8Lu9rQuFwb4lot3g_yPg7iLypRyZMueWOUHkXNNNxQ7EgOpO72jEaQhbUBBgayiNSRF2VKtCtxTh3Dl3zVYWJv5ns9s-TqAhAEsTrpKMHKCw_x1c4Zn7Y7KZR7V2b9UfQ/s1600/KBtest1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5q6EXvlyEf8Lu9rQuFwb4lot3g_yPg7iLypRyZMueWOUHkXNNNxQ7EgOpO72jEaQhbUBBgayiNSRF2VKtCtxTh3Dl3zVYWJv5ns9s-TqAhAEsTrpKMHKCw_x1c4Zn7Y7KZR7V2b9UfQ/s320/KBtest1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Once one begins to navigate the world of small labels and limited runs of collectible vinyl, it doesn't take long to run into test pressings. Once just the stuff of collector lore (think the fabled '78 Misfits acetates of "Static Age"/"Teenagers from Mars" that purportedly never made it past five or six copies that went to Glenn, Jerry and jukeboxes in Max's Kansas City and CBGB's with those last two always reportedly popping up in used record stores for a buck, forever taunting treasure-hunting collectors), nowadays test pressings are not at all uncommon on electronic storefronts, nearly always priced at a premium well above the mass-produced counterparts.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wHfOmyPwJALGS_zon4NI7b-3tU5P5BzZkC-JZhJVreztJ3_YZvTR3NUH7e9QB4UynQ3lvxtM_kHnoUt61vc5FTa2CAiiLeM8rkqEiSKOy18ROcyu4sDbh6Q7c2WvsvUAg8m1dBYuEhE/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wHfOmyPwJALGS_zon4NI7b-3tU5P5BzZkC-JZhJVreztJ3_YZvTR3NUH7e9QB4UynQ3lvxtM_kHnoUt61vc5FTa2CAiiLeM8rkqEiSKOy18ROcyu4sDbh6Q7c2WvsvUAg8m1dBYuEhE/s320/010.JPG" width="239" /></a>It's not exactly a secret but may surprise some record-buyers that, while every vinyl pressing results in a handful of true test pressings to assess the record prior to production (usually around a half-dozen), some plants will produce many more (up to fifty at United Record Pressing) at a relatively low cost. These are nice to share with friends of the bands and label but concern me a bit as one who collects, too, as anyone even a little unscrupulous can post what appears to be a real rarity for sale when, in fact, it ain't that special.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik53r4Q805BLxCsjtdpPa9tcnTKnAZ6-MB9Hkhb-qhKk7eOLMi1BoOaXXfA63ozrsOcCGaUg95aYxF8WXB5kN5DAFVIfRi7511chbz4fjhhDK2LaK6sm_doEqPJma47MG8gpblAfppwzo/s1600/CBM-Tests-Both.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik53r4Q805BLxCsjtdpPa9tcnTKnAZ6-MB9Hkhb-qhKk7eOLMi1BoOaXXfA63ozrsOcCGaUg95aYxF8WXB5kN5DAFVIfRi7511chbz4fjhhDK2LaK6sm_doEqPJma47MG8gpblAfppwzo/s320/CBM-Tests-Both.JPG" width="320" /></a>That said, I am about to part with a few test pressings of my own label, <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.com/" target="_blank">Gogmagogical Records</a>. Each record we have pressed had five tests delivered by the plant. Fister got three of theirs, one went to Encapsulated Records (who made the jackets) and I got the fifth. Cold Blue Mountain and Kingsblood each have five members and the bands each got all five original tests. I ordered four extras only with the Kingsblood 7" as we had just partnered with <a href="http://theblackbirch.net/" target="_blank">The Black Birch</a> to promote the EP and hoped to use some for contests. As I began working with Bariann and her team I also received my pressing plates and excess labels from the plant for the Fister and Cold Blue Mountain records and, to my surprise, each package contained two additional tests. While I am not exactly sure what I will do with each of these in the future I can pretty much guarantee you will not see them for sale on the site marked up to snag extra dollars. It doesn't feel fair to the bands and it doesn't feel fair to the fans. My guess is that we'll eventually use them for promotional contests or as parts of prize packages associated with charitable events.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dW7937qthP02fxWuQ77QbvQgeydPcjH1y6Q-ozS7wE1skoc56VmdOTvtYmLZhIgnWy_PbMr79o6T8mxGcNhyIgLpMYp-aydzg8qXHkgOS8APewF3kNneax3zWhfvaMbv09U2GT11Fuc/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dW7937qthP02fxWuQ77QbvQgeydPcjH1y6Q-ozS7wE1skoc56VmdOTvtYmLZhIgnWy_PbMr79o6T8mxGcNhyIgLpMYp-aydzg8qXHkgOS8APewF3kNneax3zWhfvaMbv09U2GT11Fuc/s400/047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSxiQYwlFk129dUnJ1Z9V5UA39hI2R976Z7ihFt8972ugce3Y98c9RXGPz6tw_DS9DJDZBEcTbg0p96tTTCGZSmgtr8HIT3RoOvqPPeUzs0WVKr5Ce_WADXSO2exhoSUpLG3BD5WMUmQ/s1600/Tests.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSxiQYwlFk129dUnJ1Z9V5UA39hI2R976Z7ihFt8972ugce3Y98c9RXGPz6tw_DS9DJDZBEcTbg0p96tTTCGZSmgtr8HIT3RoOvqPPeUzs0WVKr5Ce_WADXSO2exhoSUpLG3BD5WMUmQ/s320/Tests.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So, I have included a few photos throughout just to share a little more of our DIY ethic here. While we have some fantastic creative partners here, there really wasn't anyone I could ask to create jackets in such small quantities across three sizes. As these tests come in plain white sleeves I wanted to gussy them up so took a trip to Hobby Lobby and bought some heavy, heavy paper, printed up a standard label template and cut, folded and assembled these by hand. I tried to coordinate the colors with at least one aspect of the vinyl and attempted to carry that over even into the Sharpie used to hand-label. While the Fister and Kingsblood tests are very close to an actual color produced, the Cold Blue Mountain is entirely unique as it appears the plant took the split colors and instead combined them in a blend. In each case, though, these are all that exist aside from what the bands hold. I suspect there may be two more Kingsblood tests coming back with their plates eventually but am not certain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTPM49qeo1j4X9ps9UtmVttFI_TjZv2dN-CS5ojh_TqnI_iDllj8MHGQ4KfwWPWwLsL6vAPVPCRre3KY5JzylCutXLqAeBjwRLmlK-JppsKxt0e4XXspAqsHF1jkf56P6RTQu0sKLqvo/s1600/Kingsblood-Tests.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTPM49qeo1j4X9ps9UtmVttFI_TjZv2dN-CS5ojh_TqnI_iDllj8MHGQ4KfwWPWwLsL6vAPVPCRre3KY5JzylCutXLqAeBjwRLmlK-JppsKxt0e4XXspAqsHF1jkf56P6RTQu0sKLqvo/s320/Kingsblood-Tests.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Keep an eye on the label site for any opportunities to grab any of these. Likewise, if you have a brainstorm or a worthy cause to which we may want to use one or more, get in touch. Just because I want these to be free to collectors doesn't mean I want them to be any less special.Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-45255130455949323632013-07-15T21:15:00.000-04:002013-07-15T21:15:34.584-04:00Transparent Vinyl: The End of Violence, Mountain for a Molehill, Vinyl Vikings and Coupon Codes.So, as I like to update every now and then,here's a look at current numbers and the general Gogmagogical Records state of the union, release by release:<br />
<br />
<u><b>Fister - <i>Violence</i></b> (GOG001)</u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4MrdGim7h5cPYHx6SpSIY1QX7igBBfGNwAUQo0REt8BriynzneTmVCygfr5SU3flg0DdiFsfZP-lRmiq4B9RQ9OtFb9PKUNYimD7VAKHO_7WFIV5wcQ1ZAV1S-sfTdMSVHk3tthnOU0/s1600/AllFive.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4MrdGim7h5cPYHx6SpSIY1QX7igBBfGNwAUQo0REt8BriynzneTmVCygfr5SU3flg0DdiFsfZP-lRmiq4B9RQ9OtFb9PKUNYimD7VAKHO_7WFIV5wcQ1ZAV1S-sfTdMSVHk3tthnOU0/s400/AllFive.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><b>Violence</b></i> spoiled me. It's a beast and it has moved quickly. In fact, quantities are dwindling to the "oh, shit, I better get one <i>now</i>" level. <a href="https://vimeo.com/70175026" target="_blank">I just saw these guys</a> at the last two dates on their summer tour and they deliver the goods live. Fans were drooling over all their vinyl and I restocked their <i><b>Violence </b></i>stores with a good portion of my remaining stock.<br />
<br />
Here are the facts: 1) these will sell out; 2) any potential re-press possibility is unknown; 3) we will not re-press with multiple jacket variations. Quantities available as of this exact moment are:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I: Artwork by Coby Ellison. Lavender base with black and white mixed vinyl: <b>17 remain</b>.<br />
<br />
II: Artwork by Clark Medley. Opaque white base with black mixed vinyl: <b>15 remain</b>.<br />
<br />
III: Artwork by Travis Lawrence. Translucent green base with yellow mixed vinyl: <b>16 remain</b>.<br />
<br />
IV: Artwork by Scott Fogelbach. Transparent dark red base with black mixed vinyl: <b>15 remain</b>.<br />
<br />
V: Artwork by Josh Rowan. Transparent blue base with black and white mixed vinyl: <b>4 remain</b>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/fister-violence" target="_blank">Get one now</a>. If you want a set of five, move even faster.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Cold Blue Mountain - S/T </b>(GOG003)</u><br />
<br />
The Cold Blue Mountain record is fan-fucking-tastic. <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.com/cbmreviews/" target="_blank">Press has been overwhelmingly positive</a>. Sales are, admittedly, more sluggish than I would hope. <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bandcamp.com/album/cold-blue-mountain" target="_blank">Listen to it</a>. I am convinced that if people hear it, they'll want it. I am likewise convinced that once people handle the artwork from Holy Mountain they'll show their friends. I am further convinced they'll then play the record for their friends. I am finally convinced their friends will then buy it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePyZDGJ_h6b1HHx6idbjMSfJNn_PLhw6GCfmyOIyZYFVBn73rbXt_Wy4ceZmOODYAuomCL8v8JDQnjKH9AS_ikrR-M_5YG6LPAUyAUz1clP63fl-GbaAUA266oXTWPxVHZm4zyXR4Wn8/s1600/LP01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePyZDGJ_h6b1HHx6idbjMSfJNn_PLhw6GCfmyOIyZYFVBn73rbXt_Wy4ceZmOODYAuomCL8v8JDQnjKH9AS_ikrR-M_5YG6LPAUyAUz1clP63fl-GbaAUA266oXTWPxVHZm4zyXR4Wn8/s400/LP01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's a good chance to be that first guy in that chain. Through the end of July use code <b>COLDBLUEMTN</b> and <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/cold-blue-mountain-s-t" target="_blank">get the record</a> for only eight bucks. That is a huge loss per record for me but I have faith that a little word of mouth is all that's needed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Kingsblood - <i>Trudging Through the Field of Crows</i></b> (GOG002)</u><br />
<br />
<a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/kingsblood-trudging-through-the-field-of-crows" target="_blank">This little EP</a> is picking up rave reviews. Sales have been brisk though definitely focused in the band's home base of Columbus, Ohio. Watch for more press and a few promotions soon. This is a mean, massive sound in a seven-inch package and <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/kingsblood-trudging-through-the-field-of-crows-3-pack" target="_blank">three-packs</a> are flying. Like Fister, even with a re-press we won't repeat ourselves, and once these introductory colors are gone, they're gone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoh1YZp0rCb-A6BvM0PzNdjPyytcJDzTLg8E54Lzn0GvMW-6jA2HwJpqZpGogTjaKNo7M2xtM5W69KjTfFHOayBPRVn-3fFooPhgJboaC-VkfQhH4xTB4V_yESbBBlHpDjFbt2QdGylts/s1600/KB3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoh1YZp0rCb-A6BvM0PzNdjPyytcJDzTLg8E54Lzn0GvMW-6jA2HwJpqZpGogTjaKNo7M2xtM5W69KjTfFHOayBPRVn-3fFooPhgJboaC-VkfQhH4xTB4V_yESbBBlHpDjFbt2QdGylts/s400/KB3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Finally, there are lots of coupon codes still hanging out there on the site. While the Cold Blue Mountain code will only last two weeks, these others never expire. Mix and match 'em and take me to the cleaners:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>GOGPATCH - Add a Free <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/gogmagogical-patch" target="_blank">Patch</a> When Buying Two or More Records</li>
<li>FREETOTE - Add a <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/record-bag" target="_blank">Record Bag</a> Free When Buying Two or More Items</li>
<li>VIOLENCE - Spend $20, Get $4 Off a <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/exclusive-fister-violence-tee" target="_blank">Fister Tee</a></li>
<li>COLDBLUE - $2 Discount on a <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/cold-blue-mountain-tee" target="_blank">Cold Blue Mountain Tee</a> With the Purchase of a Record </li>
</ul>
Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-37350642399793847222013-07-14T13:54:00.000-04:002013-07-14T13:54:16.906-04:00Black Sunday: Off! - First Four EPs (2010) & Off! (2012)Stuck recently on my excessive SST collection, particularly the works of Black Flag, and celebrating the addition of the Circle Jerks' long out-of-print <i><b>VI</b></i> CD to my library to replace my original cassette after years of scouring secondhand bins, it was only a natural progression to focus this week on Keith Morris' <a href="http://offofficial.com/" target="_blank">Off!</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrTfnSB8rSVy-RFh-nQvDFNJK4324Tu2T1NGgMe8z053mPZB_r0bFFqaCVvnmcNqc85NJEyb7ZR_B5oOoz6jGa60kSc1Y82EaRZ3l-mmExeDLh0DO1Yp-lLZtB16Vzw1CST09MbSKwPY/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrTfnSB8rSVy-RFh-nQvDFNJK4324Tu2T1NGgMe8z053mPZB_r0bFFqaCVvnmcNqc85NJEyb7ZR_B5oOoz6jGa60kSc1Y82EaRZ3l-mmExeDLh0DO1Yp-lLZtB16Vzw1CST09MbSKwPY/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't know the story behind the band's formation but guess it's more than a coincidence that, like another band on Morris' resume, they share a name with an insect repellent. Add in artwork by the incomparable <a href="http://www.raypettibon.com/" target="_blank">Raymond Pettibon</a> and Off! is absolutely irresistible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKxI8zq3NncGrnxZE9ZW1nDu463-1oVHE-r5bN95Nc2qHzX49_SPr21diQXxlPtat2znr7rNwrkV9XCoPkTtkZ6X050ySQZhyphenhyphenIBFKW0D3-ggABasDzlU1XKsp_4RPwaRtrctEEN-7n1k/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKxI8zq3NncGrnxZE9ZW1nDu463-1oVHE-r5bN95Nc2qHzX49_SPr21diQXxlPtat2znr7rNwrkV9XCoPkTtkZ6X050ySQZhyphenhyphenIBFKW0D3-ggABasDzlU1XKsp_4RPwaRtrctEEN-7n1k/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The vinyl, from <a href="http://www.vicerecords.com/" target="_blank">Vice Records</a>, is sturdy, simple stuff. Entirely black-and-white, the aesthetic is immediately appealing. Fans of Pettibon's art will undoubtedly devour these and hardcore punk fans should likewise be satisfied by short, sharp - and smart - bursts of music clocking in in single-minute increments. I've never seen any of the EPs on the <i><b>First Four EPs</b></i> box available individually and am not certain if they all saw separate release. That said, I wouldn't want them any other way. The box itself is beautiful, housing each jacketed 7" and a nice booklet with Pettibon liner notes, selected lyrics and several photographs. The self-titled 12", with sixteen tracks, contains the same amount of music as the EP set and anyone who has worked to make records will appreciate the cost associated with pressing and packaging four different records as opposed to a single 12". It's really fun as a collector to have this variety of sizes and helps each little EP to stand alone as its own statement (though, admittedly, I always simply play them back-to-back).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeg6ytBg_6kIq5uCTmHOyb1w3womle1AAsLIwlG6W1KrmwG4zHYfpe_qch96as6QH3j2CWSD5TCnzak4ToA7gZcHJVwOuP09hyMrPnjK1Rv4cbSMnkun7Nna3w6NyCrZma7knrcdAk70/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeg6ytBg_6kIq5uCTmHOyb1w3womle1AAsLIwlG6W1KrmwG4zHYfpe_qch96as6QH3j2CWSD5TCnzak4ToA7gZcHJVwOuP09hyMrPnjK1Rv4cbSMnkun7Nna3w6NyCrZma7knrcdAk70/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The 12" record comes with a simple two-sided lyric sheet and each of the vinyl incarnations share similar label design with a stylized "O" circling the center hole and the 7" records alternating between inverse combinations of black and white between the A and B sides. The 12" also features "Satan Did Not Appear" etched into the A-side run-off matrix, reprising Pettibon's text from the album's cover art.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2AhN4Xx6mTwwpIu3tYKPkT5JJ5NThov3yMbwB6O83dQRFYftpyCvl4536YwzcsoienLj_A3_c4925ac0GhbEtVdBvGaH93Pltatu8KySxiFeQp_wH13018wvng300sTCAviTd9wJeCY/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2AhN4Xx6mTwwpIu3tYKPkT5JJ5NThov3yMbwB6O83dQRFYftpyCvl4536YwzcsoienLj_A3_c4925ac0GhbEtVdBvGaH93Pltatu8KySxiFeQp_wH13018wvng300sTCAviTd9wJeCY/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Seemingly basic black-and-white offerings, Off!'s records are rich in detail and high in quality. The vinyl itself is clean, the sound crisp and packaging materials a notch above the standard (and admittedly flimsy) SST fare that sent me here in the first place. <a href="http://www.merchlackey.com/off/" target="_blank">Off!'s online store</a> sells <i><b>First Four EPs</b></i> for $20 and the self-titled 12" for $15. That's about a buck per song. Add in that you get download cards with both packages and Off! on vinyl is a no-brainer over iTunes. Grab 'em while you still can.Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-8446951842474433922013-06-22T07:56:00.000-04:002013-06-22T07:56:34.933-04:00Kingsblood's Trudging Through the Field of Crows ReleasesFollowing an extensive hometown set that covered their entire modern catalogue, Kingsblood's 7" debut on Gogmagogical Records releases today. Preview its contents below:<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe seamless="" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3614728054/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/package=2684325254/notracklist=false/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; height: 594px; width: 350px;"><a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bandcamp.com/album/trudging-through-the-field-of-crows">Trudging Through the Field of Crows by Kingsblood</a></iframe></center>
<br />
The band is en route to Nordic Midsummer Fest in Kent, Ohio with a van full of vinyl. The <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank">Gogmagogical Records store</a> and <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">bandcamp</a> site are fully stocked and shipping immediately as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiAqVe5xT5W0gWTxpbusbVRjltjdvjDyis1qq7xdDHgJbdu70ahYr9-J5FBKeZdwqZB2_wJSqxETq1prGykREGK7oBLX74GNuQ0fZEN7CdzDqsE2wsrTqtL6ubb6n3NEBxJBoy5z9LSs/s1600/KB-DB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiAqVe5xT5W0gWTxpbusbVRjltjdvjDyis1qq7xdDHgJbdu70ahYr9-J5FBKeZdwqZB2_wJSqxETq1prGykREGK7oBLX74GNuQ0fZEN7CdzDqsE2wsrTqtL6ubb6n3NEBxJBoy5z9LSs/s400/KB-DB.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-9850050985114515032013-05-12T20:47:00.000-04:002013-05-12T20:55:09.317-04:00Black Sunday: Devil - Magister Mundi Xum (2010), The Noble Savage/Blood is Boiling (2011), Time to Repent (2011) & Gather the Sinners (2013)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jYfTRxSFWBOhl6DoOkGuam6557BFCqmzKcPmDNXgVQTPfG1DX8DvLzUS8Yi82i9BDNc_Jom-t3JJE9TW9lui0qUWR8ke-UhyKL7wvVBcLwhut9ZOalfKJAT4JipIgZSQAgonETavP8g/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jYfTRxSFWBOhl6DoOkGuam6557BFCqmzKcPmDNXgVQTPfG1DX8DvLzUS8Yi82i9BDNc_Jom-t3JJE9TW9lui0qUWR8ke-UhyKL7wvVBcLwhut9ZOalfKJAT4JipIgZSQAgonETavP8g/s400/032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Across the last month I have discovered - and devoured - <a href="http://home.online.no/~joa-tr/" target="_blank">Devil</a>. Their throwback bluesy doom is easily digested alongside Sabbath and St. Vitus and their vinyl, from <a href="http://www.soulsellerrecords.com/" target="_blank">Soulseller Records</a>, is nothing short of fantastic.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRTj6I9MgOFaIX5uzj-yoJ1v-HKFJMvIMaFuAqPQRW9lqKeVFE3_7oH_aes0VTvpg0VULWqufinANhEpQa71331ZO8G5ZfIWk4RLnkBqbT5FmWU8FL4P3bxDCCBcl6IuYTRfES-eE5Xk/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRTj6I9MgOFaIX5uzj-yoJ1v-HKFJMvIMaFuAqPQRW9lqKeVFE3_7oH_aes0VTvpg0VULWqufinANhEpQa71331ZO8G5ZfIWk4RLnkBqbT5FmWU8FL4P3bxDCCBcl6IuYTRfES-eE5Xk/s200/035.JPG" width="200" /></a>My first acquisitions were spur-of-the-moment record shop grabs of the 2010 demo 10",<i><b> Magister Mundi Xum</b></i>, and their latest LP, 2013's <i><b>Gather the Sinners</b></i>. <i><b>Magister...</b></i>, in its second printing, is one of 500 copies pressed to white vinyl (the original pressing was black) and is housed in a heavy white jacket with my favorite of the band's artwork. A slick insert collects band photos and the basics in terms of information on the recordings. It's an incredibly raw EP and the 10" format contains exactly enough to get a new fan salivating for more. <i><b>Gather the Sinners</b></i>, the band's second full-length, is listed as a "limited" vinyl edition and, indeed, the band's own official webstore appears to have sold out. It's not clear to me exactly how many were produced but the gatefold package and platter are as heavy to hold as they are to hear, no frills but no disappointment in any way, either.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bnJl4DQhncbskIeaP99tILPIDqGHlI136IalRVFr5fQu0hP-87dX2yfp5a6mPLHp-w6FbDrnMmW3S2koSYqrsscQaUIj11VY9YuEw47XLT9YDAjBCWKPRbCogFgBHdxYnvh52V-feeQ/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bnJl4DQhncbskIeaP99tILPIDqGHlI136IalRVFr5fQu0hP-87dX2yfp5a6mPLHp-w6FbDrnMmW3S2koSYqrsscQaUIj11VY9YuEw47XLT9YDAjBCWKPRbCogFgBHdxYnvh52V-feeQ/s320/033.JPG" width="288" /></a>I had to utilize mailorder to round out the collection with the band's 2011 7" single, "The Noble Savage/Blood is Boiling." This record also came my way in its second pressing, a deep chocolate vinyl from a series of 500, the first pressing again apparently black though limited to 100. I also imported the band's 2011 full-length debut, <i><b>Time to Repent</b></i>, another repress following an initial black run, this time in transparent yellow. One wonders if a colored variant of <i><b>Gather the Sinners</b></i> will pop up before too long. Each of the prior offerings complemented their jackets' color schemes and a 12" in maroon would look awfully nice.<br />
<br />
Devil's design aesthetic is rock-solid. Each of the packages is beautifully detailed yet retain a Scandanavian simplicity that effectively communicates (and does not overdecorate) the utilitarian rock within. The largely monochrome packages are simultaneously rich and subdued. Center labels alternately complement and copy segments of the jacket art, leaving the entire catalogue feeling like an entirely cohesive whole. Credit must be due to Soulseller as well as the materials, from jackets to the platters themselves, are all top-notch. The recordings are clear and strong and play free of any noticeable defects. None of the albums feels in any way flimsy, which is a good thing as I have been pulling these records off of the shelf every few days and don't see myself stopping anytime soon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_ZUEj0-7NvgK8aS3jUj6aeqPNoM7TAoshIvurjeA1SL_Hn8gZR-NhIpGcyhTAdEPfrpRB_CtYtZkjRojoELQZziOl3UbmZL5YxrPbsDmh64JJ9SuMeTmTIlnIA2cFHJkqyXUrhoHB_M/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_ZUEj0-7NvgK8aS3jUj6aeqPNoM7TAoshIvurjeA1SL_Hn8gZR-NhIpGcyhTAdEPfrpRB_CtYtZkjRojoELQZziOl3UbmZL5YxrPbsDmh64JJ9SuMeTmTIlnIA2cFHJkqyXUrhoHB_M/s400/034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-54522253868299296842013-04-22T07:35:00.000-04:002013-04-22T07:55:30.625-04:00Transparent Vinyl: Moving Mountains.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWB0J5g8el-gUmPud9hKaVIptImUw4FnBzOp_gpSDabNia4AfRuc2TPQR3lnCVBVNl7pDiehSiHYxYYtUBgWMenV4CySqLegQ27jODpTWihTNzvmEDEWWasNGU0j9gp2QMqts7Chje4c4/s1600/CBM+title+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWB0J5g8el-gUmPud9hKaVIptImUw4FnBzOp_gpSDabNia4AfRuc2TPQR3lnCVBVNl7pDiehSiHYxYYtUBgWMenV4CySqLegQ27jODpTWihTNzvmEDEWWasNGU0j9gp2QMqts7Chje4c4/s400/CBM+title+card.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's been a while. Sitting back for a second, though, as Cold Blue Mountain's eponymous 12" is freed to run rampant across this earth, I thought I may collect and share some thoughts from this go-round.<br />
<br />
Following the (in my mind) successful <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/search/label/fister" target="_blank">Fister</a> formula, I went down a very similar path with Cold Blue Mountain's record. Again we used <a href="http://www.aardvarkmastering.com/" target="_blank">Aardvark</a> for cutting the lacquer, <a href="http://www.urpressing.com/" target="_blank">United Record Pressing</a> for the vinyl and, this time, <a href="http://holymountainprinting.com/site/" target="_blank">Holy Mountain Printing</a> handled not only <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/cold-blue-mountain-tee" target="_blank">t-shirts</a> but a jacket folder as well. The timeline unfolded a little something like this:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd6N4u9_PoSjBNWjg0DIzNUwa2A-1te2dEpBfXLD4q7UwSwO_FV-7xZaJczDsjy0izqhTWZuaOZ9VT-5-lIaoqRanfoAI4IkgvbK4_0iJJY5d9nnRBN6OctGBEDN-RgqG0AhoJWivk-s/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd6N4u9_PoSjBNWjg0DIzNUwa2A-1te2dEpBfXLD4q7UwSwO_FV-7xZaJczDsjy0izqhTWZuaOZ9VT-5-lIaoqRanfoAI4IkgvbK4_0iJJY5d9nnRBN6OctGBEDN-RgqG0AhoJWivk-s/s320/020.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">test pressing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>October 8, 2012:</b> Cold Blue Mountain makes initial contact based upon our Fister project (then just in progress). <br />
<b>January 10:</b> Cold Blue Mountain and Gogmagogical Records sign an agreement to release their self-titled debut as GOG-003.<br />
<b>February 1:</b> Masters received at Aardvark Record Mastering for plating. <br />
<b>February 3:</b> Finalized order placed with United Record Pressing. Aardvark has lacquers cut.<br />
<b>February 4:</b> Aardvark ships lacquers off for plating.<br />
<b>February 28:</b> Order placed for t-shirts and jacket folders with Holy Mountain Printing.<br />
<b>March 14:</b> Test pressings are received from United.<br />
<b>March 20:</b> Test pressings approved by the band, final order approval sent to United and release date set for April 19.<br />
<b>March 28:</b> All vinyl - 100 blue/white splits and 200 black - received from United Record Pressing.<br />
<b>March 29:</b> T-shirts received from Holy Mountain Printing. <br />
<b>April 11:</b> Jacket folders received from Holy Mountain Printing.<br />
<b>April 12:</b> The band's records are shipped via overnight mail for receipt for an April 13 show.<br />
<b>April 19:</b> <i><b>Cold Blue Mountain</b></i> releases wide.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJEym63Kven83q-g_kNBqHz6cP7it2bxrNrN_9fy9DvIaNq7dnbn9JJaAego5sk8lpmMcu1j-nvGNh3qFHDePl2wcIv6s3nosF0ps1czDyT96bqZ-tBQ2V8jKSWKbWLyTWok5FJiJnp8/s1600/CBMFolderOut.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJEym63Kven83q-g_kNBqHz6cP7it2bxrNrN_9fy9DvIaNq7dnbn9JJaAego5sk8lpmMcu1j-nvGNh3qFHDePl2wcIv6s3nosF0ps1czDyT96bqZ-tBQ2V8jKSWKbWLyTWok5FJiJnp8/s320/CBMFolderOut.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
I have to say I am getting a little spoiled at this point. Cold Blue Mountain was absolutely a pleasure to work with. No one pushed, questioned timelines, nor argued any points. We communicated well and this was about as smooth as one could ever hope. I worked largely with Brandon Squyres but also maintained regular contact with Sesar Sanchez and Daniel Taylor. Additionally, there were zero problems with all of our manufacturing partners. Holy Mountain's jackets, in particular, are incredibly lush and I have yet to find a blemish on any.<br />
<br />
The launch of the record has been relatively slow. Fister, as a counterpoint, was not. There are several factors in play here. First, Fister never listed their album for sale online nor did they hold anything "exclusive." With the exception of Encapsulated Records, to whom I traded 100 records for the jackets, I had zero competition for the product in the online world. I do not believe Cold Blue Mountain have listed their record online to date but we certainly have no agreement barring them from doing so (nor did I with Fister, for that matter). That said, the band is the exclusive holder of the colored vinyl and I expect many of their California-area fans are opting to purchase theirs directly from the band. Second, geographically, I am closer to Fister's fanbase. There are simply more folks nearby and in my admittedly limited circle of influence who know the band and wanted the record right away. It is very clear to me that I need to face the reality of my very limited exposure in a very large world. The band has partnered with <a href="http://theblackbirch.net/" target="_blank">The Black Birch</a>
for PR and I am extremely impressed with their efforts. Nearly every
outlet I have contacted regarding review copies has already heard from
them and I am now convinced more than ever that I need a PR firm myself.
I'll be contacting them myself very soon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyXNMSOJPx8wRVkD6S5yYEgJysj74Q3Hld3BITtcQA4dR-WLgZDriCjFiv5rXtXjBAaFWkizO1lMDxXxYU7WvmdLug9tsyB2D6r1tjMltrFrvI-rWHJAyjHSA1BNx-KqoX27IBSXYTNk/s1600/CBMtees2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyXNMSOJPx8wRVkD6S5yYEgJysj74Q3Hld3BITtcQA4dR-WLgZDriCjFiv5rXtXjBAaFWkizO1lMDxXxYU7WvmdLug9tsyB2D6r1tjMltrFrvI-rWHJAyjHSA1BNx-KqoX27IBSXYTNk/s320/CBMtees2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I chose <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/cold-blue-mountain-s-t" target="_blank">black vinyl</a> as the second option and could have certainly chosen a more collectible color for the label to hold. That said, expenses were a factor as was consideration of the fact that there is an interest in "pure" black vinyl. I do not want the label to become a source of only colorful collectibles and feel strongly enough about the musicians I am working with to believe that their music alone is the draw and these sounds should matter more than the color of the platter on which they spin. All that said, if I were buying, though, I would opt for that blue-and-white beauty before black in a heartbeat. I am very, very confident that as word of mouth spreads and reviews begin to appear online that <i><b>Cold Blue Mountain</b></i> will pick up traction and succeed swimmingly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNLfRqnY-Hj2QDA8yPR_yOWQ0LGP3aZjQJ9t4GfPfMIgkfMyGtk2PfjkKmYBZ19re1xCWRJtmBMeL-GOAvi2_kvNVQGPjkN4HyyzZLwQ6en0nz-xskxXLrqr9eiSqowO4tiWGHjYnWok/s1600/LP04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNLfRqnY-Hj2QDA8yPR_yOWQ0LGP3aZjQJ9t4GfPfMIgkfMyGtk2PfjkKmYBZ19re1xCWRJtmBMeL-GOAvi2_kvNVQGPjkN4HyyzZLwQ6en0nz-xskxXLrqr9eiSqowO4tiWGHjYnWok/s400/LP04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Kingsblood's <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/kingsblood-trudging-through-the-field-of-crows" target="_blank"><i><b>Trudging Through the Field of Crows</b></i></a> is currently awaiting test pressings and will begin its sprint toward release any day. Once finished, though, the label will need to recoup some funds before setting out upon the next release. While <i><b><a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/artist/fister" target="_blank">Violence</a> </b></i>has broken even, two records underway at once has eaten into a couple thousand of my own personal dollars. I am hoping for GOG-004 to see the light of day in late 2013/early 2014. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj-sHU6-kThhsnG4HBz4ZSorHEVk2YA_TYqiTDHD6uBK8mnJk_QeI94molSKakUucJsvTg2o97ETnPNGtd7-52SpfISkRvnRsjTxvCRqsd7SU7Y0-IkGuKOyAeoN61Q3BztGkl2MqI0U/s1600/LP02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj-sHU6-kThhsnG4HBz4ZSorHEVk2YA_TYqiTDHD6uBK8mnJk_QeI94molSKakUucJsvTg2o97ETnPNGtd7-52SpfISkRvnRsjTxvCRqsd7SU7Y0-IkGuKOyAeoN61Q3BztGkl2MqI0U/s400/LP02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-28304629174989780882013-01-27T11:16:00.000-05:002013-01-27T11:16:35.053-05:00Black Sunday: Cathedral - Gargoylian (2001) & A New Ice Age (2012)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZFO15inRqmtPR5I4LYJ-vbfeXPtU5gQB9DsnIfZVGbRPOpLQ-49bj9HUk90YhHaVpWM7Kvp6nktivS9xMwaelnyhjme3vkhWiM0FoLsMnDvdaoiyqsBuzZ4KEdVMNBiDqewKeCOXs0k/s1600/cathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZFO15inRqmtPR5I4LYJ-vbfeXPtU5gQB9DsnIfZVGbRPOpLQ-49bj9HUk90YhHaVpWM7Kvp6nktivS9xMwaelnyhjme3vkhWiM0FoLsMnDvdaoiyqsBuzZ4KEdVMNBiDqewKeCOXs0k/s400/cathedral.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As stoner/doom stalwarts Cathedral approach the end of their career (supposedly) with the upcoming <i><b>The Last Spire</b></i>, I've found myself revisiting their entire catalogue recently and, even with a few compilation items included, admire that the band have left a few choice tracks vinyl-only, at least for now.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpUdA47QaGCiLqeD1xpfO7HVsjP2VImluzZQUijrA_lncSbkxvDjSH6p5GTtK1Kk_Plb38AwFGLTki6EGqBJEtxp6K5lJLY5epml33oASVRWOufIHjupQ6s22CWpls9MRs-9kWLW8Bho/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpUdA47QaGCiLqeD1xpfO7HVsjP2VImluzZQUijrA_lncSbkxvDjSH6p5GTtK1Kk_Plb38AwFGLTki6EGqBJEtxp6K5lJLY5epml33oASVRWOufIHjupQ6s22CWpls9MRs-9kWLW8Bho/s400/023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've collected most Cathedral, with the glaring exception of the <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Cathedral/Twylight_Songs/20757" target="_blank"><i><b>Twylight Songs</b></i></a> 7", and have always enjoyed the <i><b>Gargoylian</b></i> 7", acquired originally largely due to its Blind Dead jacket. It's fairly hard-to-find and I've accumulated three copies since buying the original via Southern Lord mail order, though all of mine are identical black vinyl (there were reportedly 2,000 pressed with 1,800 in black and 100 each in blue and gold). The vinyl itself is fairly flimsy and the jacket's lettering printed gray on gray, leaving the lyric inscrutable. The songs, "Gargoylian" and "Earth in the Grip of a Skeletal Hand," are two of Cathedral's brutal best, making this an absolute must-have for fans of the band. <i><b>Gargoylian</b></i> pops up on eBay every now and then and usually commands $30-40. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmao6EVppbMJR2-Ujxj9LpslLUrS0D0RLx0n-Flz2G1QSxJMdwRjntaubpZUiZKkH2VBZALBN2Lp0hr2NVxmBi09fl_bfmnK6HaYCKB3q6g1H3ZAuatL4clfKapkKMQ1wZDSGCR1e3rg/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmao6EVppbMJR2-Ujxj9LpslLUrS0D0RLx0n-Flz2G1QSxJMdwRjntaubpZUiZKkH2VBZALBN2Lp0hr2NVxmBi09fl_bfmnK6HaYCKB3q6g1H3ZAuatL4clfKapkKMQ1wZDSGCR1e3rg/s400/019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYY2c2-y6d6PZ5XjQ2RMPXdXWLNkMUvxPSjZq0SGJfMkz_OQEaNRrHaxBhyXWGRWZrUArs8uRtqMdjcpsYxTDCJPnFhRBnU5mSNfkuGNbWC7XJjWlfgSK5zlDCNqC6hXgGFkYsgfKKX4/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYY2c2-y6d6PZ5XjQ2RMPXdXWLNkMUvxPSjZq0SGJfMkz_OQEaNRrHaxBhyXWGRWZrUArs8uRtqMdjcpsYxTDCJPnFhRBnU5mSNfkuGNbWC7XJjWlfgSK5zlDCNqC6hXgGFkYsgfKKX4/s320/022.JPG" width="219" /></a><i><b>A New Ice Age</b></i> has been released in <a href="http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Cathedral/A_New_Ice_Age/320729" target="_blank">a multitude of colors</a> to date, with clear, white, blue, black, purple and green currently listed on the <a href="http://www.riseaboverecords.com/products/view/369/" target="_blank">Rise Above Records website</a> (and black and green available for order). Mine is an icy blue 12" and, musically, provides an aggressive - almost progressive - but not-too-doomy beginning of the end for the band's recording career. It's a sturdier package than <i><b>Gargoylian</b></i>, in terms of both vinyl and jacket, but just as frill-free. A great painting from Dave Patchett adorns the front while the lyrical content fills the backside. It will be interesting to see if either track, "Open Mind Surgery" or "Sabbadaius Sabbatum," make it onto <i><b>The Last Spire</b></i> in alternate form and, no matter what, I'll be sad as hell to see Cathedral say goodbye.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21fuEalI9MXAExpBUpmV2UCpcCH6KERATmQFCoF-DCEppKzfbxIyMfCmJYoftz20M1OCUW1aPLrayVUyXiCBjzfQ57lqhr7fWC5MRgxaITWVQOfnSNwfZhpxp6i0shzBZEk4WPF1vcRc/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21fuEalI9MXAExpBUpmV2UCpcCH6KERATmQFCoF-DCEppKzfbxIyMfCmJYoftz20M1OCUW1aPLrayVUyXiCBjzfQ57lqhr7fWC5MRgxaITWVQOfnSNwfZhpxp6i0shzBZEk4WPF1vcRc/s400/021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-51356618443322031632012-12-09T09:52:00.001-05:002012-12-09T09:52:43.886-05:00This is it.Sort of.<br />
<br />
With today's post - a <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/search/label/black%20sunday" target="_blank">Black Sunday</a>, <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/search/label/transparent%20vinyl" target="_blank">Transparent Vinyl</a> and more all rolled into one - I'm going to shift this blog, already slower in its second year, to a largely archival state, focusing energies and devoting fleeting free time to a successful launch and promotion of the <a href="http://fister.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Fister</a> record on the <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.com/" target="_blank">Gogmagogical Records site</a>, where most of my future posting will exist on the front pages dedicated to the bands with which I am working.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpNwL8r01v1fWbypYy_oRBR3PxL41IxHc4JeF_PpjJ4Ia0lSbxIOlR667ZECZwnNoTWsiqmsmrmVyB98Rq9H2mX48_5WRhCdYsVTwGYRPkFy1nnePtisHbZpAOXbPYg-459ic2pBV3Gg/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpNwL8r01v1fWbypYy_oRBR3PxL41IxHc4JeF_PpjJ4Ia0lSbxIOlR667ZECZwnNoTWsiqmsmrmVyB98Rq9H2mX48_5WRhCdYsVTwGYRPkFy1nnePtisHbZpAOXbPYg-459ic2pBV3Gg/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they grow up so fast... godspeed, hundreds of records.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><b>Violence </b></i>is nearly complete and back on track for <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.com/all-five-fister-violence-variants-in-hand-to-ship-december-26-2012/" target="_blank">a Christmas Day release</a>. One-hundred each of five color combinations are in hand and I just shipped a share of the vinyl to the band and <a href="http://www.encapsulatedrecords.com/" target="_blank">Encapsulated Records</a>, who have created the jackets and will distribute a portion of the pressing as well.<br />
<br />
A respectable percentage of my share of the records has sold already via pre-order, with wax set to ship out across the US and also to fans in the UK, Germany, France and Russia. Once I have jackets in hand I'll distribute some review copies and expect some positive traction there.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMwcVOrcXZIwO4xZF_wstT-RoV8XKDeuef3cMWp0TWpIev3r3wbL5l7SSvG7hI_sJnyBr4prxLljVo7bbYRiuf3og2OaQpzqauThBm8-tRqaqb8hSRxcjA32-hRDw-LZ4wXo0rTJvDek/s1600/ViolenceV-vinyl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMwcVOrcXZIwO4xZF_wstT-RoV8XKDeuef3cMWp0TWpIev3r3wbL5l7SSvG7hI_sJnyBr4prxLljVo7bbYRiuf3og2OaQpzqauThBm8-tRqaqb8hSRxcjA32-hRDw-LZ4wXo0rTJvDek/s320/ViolenceV-vinyl.jpg" width="320" /></a>I'm entirely biased in my assessment of the record's sound but I am thrilled with both our mastering and the pressing in terms of lack of surface noise. There's a lot of sound in this small platter and it's a damn dense album. As far as colors go, my favorite disc so far is <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/fister-violence-v-artwork-by-josh-rowan" target="_blank">the blue version</a> as it looks almost marble with its deep shades. I don't have any jackets in hand yet as printing is finishing up now but my favorite design as a pure graphic, most emotionally evocative for me in terms of the record's theme, would have to be <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/test1" target="_blank">Coby Ellison's design</a> for "I. Forced Extinction."<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YHChyrzKo0Pz2nOw0wCZ5o_i3IoRpICb03819pVpXFdCLDKxqVayz8UMY-akp5gn56ljTZFeMtGFZ_Hc7VJCk3-beP7T8RDVzVe3ecEZDlklncutxCumQBbp3IvBq5dd6bmDl1028u0/s1600/ViolenceI-jackets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YHChyrzKo0Pz2nOw0wCZ5o_i3IoRpICb03819pVpXFdCLDKxqVayz8UMY-akp5gn56ljTZFeMtGFZ_Hc7VJCk3-beP7T8RDVzVe3ecEZDlklncutxCumQBbp3IvBq5dd6bmDl1028u0/s320/ViolenceI-jackets.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">artwork by <a href="http://www.awfulniceart.com/blog/artists/coby-ellison/" target="_blank">Coby Ellison</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Getting the actual vinyl felt like a feat in itself. Three-hundred - three of the colors - were delivered very quickly after tests were approved, by November 16. Then we waited. And waited. With delays expected over the holidays, I was surprised to learn after a status check that there had been a miscommunication at the pressing plant and that stampers for the record had been either damaged, discarded or destroyed. With new stampers ordered from the mastering and plating facilities, we did rebound very quickly and the plant stayed true to their word that we would receive expedited priority, with our final 200 delivered last Friday. We ended up only a few days behind our most recently estimated schedule. In order to turn around an order for t-shirts offered as a promo with pre-orders we'll close that promotion at midnight Monday, send an order to <a href="http://holymountainprinting.com/" target="_blank">Holy Mountain</a> in the wee hours of Tuesday morning and hope their production estimate holds true as well.<br />
<br />
This has been an immensely satisfying and rewarding experience. The excitement hasn't waned yet and, just last night, I got word that another project in the hopper was progressing and, if all goes well, I'll be starting all over again soon with what I hope is another in a line of killer metal releases. I cannot express how very grateful I am to Fister to offer this opportunity and I am more than proud to be associated with them, especially with a recording this powerful. Likewise, contacts and connections made via this blog have been essential in getting this thing off the ground. <br />
<br />
I plan to return to this forum as time and opportunities permit, to share a few live show experiences and thoughts on releases unrelated to Gogmagogical Records but, as time progresses, look forward to working with more bands to make records like <i><b>Violence.</b></i> I started this entire exercise to write about music and it is beyond any wildest dreams to, twenty months later, have a hand in producing records that rival favorites in my bins. This is where I want to be.<br />
<br />
Thanks, all. Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-17792054602677410052012-12-04T14:01:00.003-05:002012-12-04T14:01:35.758-05:00FISTER's Violence on 10" Vinyl Available for OrderWe're forging ahead. I'll break down all the dirt in another post when I can breathe later this week but, despite unforeseen setbacks (that, realistically, probably plague anyone messing with a vinyl format, let alone five different versions of one record), we're open for business and planning to ship a load of Christmas cheer to those who are otherwise all doomy.<br />
<br />
The Gogmagogical Records store is activated and located at <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/">http://gogmagogicalrecords.bigcartel.com/</a>.<br />
<br />
The official announcement on the label site can be viewed here: <a href="http://gogmagogicalrecords.com/fisters-violence-now-available-for-pre-order/">http://gogmagogicalrecords.com/fisters-violence-now-available-for-pre-order/</a>.<br />
<br />
Thanks, as always, to friends and supporters for getting us this far.Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-24877823673459863652012-12-02T13:06:00.001-05:002012-12-02T16:37:37.759-05:00Black Sunday: King Diamond - No Presents for Christmas (2012)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7s5H6j53-8fghD6AuEMPZBtpHix2RimdQ3Uf0dDBDLVHL9W-AKiNDHEYsf_KFHNJNGG16XufgYqI_mqc74GdIMdhFvaMu8QtMz4p-FmIY-acM7LQ1fQ_sF_btDNl42ndyp5dLsdzYphk/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7s5H6j53-8fghD6AuEMPZBtpHix2RimdQ3Uf0dDBDLVHL9W-AKiNDHEYsf_KFHNJNGG16XufgYqI_mqc74GdIMdhFvaMu8QtMz4p-FmIY-acM7LQ1fQ_sF_btDNl42ndyp5dLsdzYphk/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><b>No Presents for Christmas</b></i>? I disagree. Christmas is already complete. Black Friday was turning out to be a total loss as, out of town, I was limited to one mediocre record store (the type that stocks only faux-hipster vinyl, i.e., the complete White Stripes and little else) as my only possibility for the limited reissue of <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/search/label/king%20diamond" target="_blank">King Diamond</a>'s very first solo foray. I busted their doors at their 11:00 AM opening to find only a <i><b>Reservoir Dogs</b></i> soundtrack and, surprise, a White Stripes 7" stocked for Record Store Day's Black Friday release. By the time I had returned home the following day my beloved Omega Music had sold the two copies they had received. Mailorder still works, though, and it wasn't impossible to find this glorious picture disc at the $13.99 list price and, a few days later, the object of my desire sits snugly under the family tree.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvG2JNIXWd4JfEZmUossJaSvE-5AdG8flTggHAcVkjUFHlUAmA3w_QpeTUYGffEKXuFGQ6PByLPXNSA_g-3osFPnDw1-0gPvt4A5cXhK7NsTSts-IVdV10fngynv5oRvtF5M-_pM0UbkM/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvG2JNIXWd4JfEZmUossJaSvE-5AdG8flTggHAcVkjUFHlUAmA3w_QpeTUYGffEKXuFGQ6PByLPXNSA_g-3osFPnDw1-0gPvt4A5cXhK7NsTSts-IVdV10fngynv5oRvtF5M-_pM0UbkM/s320/006.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
Originally released on Christmas day in 1985, the A-side has not been difficult to find, appearing on compilations as well as later pressings of <i><b>Fatal Portrait</b></i> (where flipside "Charon" has existed since early on). In single form, however, if you didn't get it then, you could expect to hand over about thirty bucks to get a copy. Roadrunner's 25th Anniversary reissue is a welcome return and a perfect example of the type of fun one-off that is tailor-made for the picture disc format. As these new pressings flood eBay right now, they appear to be running at about that same thirty-dollar price point.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL0zb3Ti3R_62bp-tnLXQcvZXva9LPw2YHUcD1GfjVnYaY6uCff1abe6063UMLpNFh1_RS80HaPNAasXpSiekmy94GyoPS_JsEIjSbkKuG9JgOsVYdhrTExh2N_77u43nB9zWeFjOeC4/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL0zb3Ti3R_62bp-tnLXQcvZXva9LPw2YHUcD1GfjVnYaY6uCff1abe6063UMLpNFh1_RS80HaPNAasXpSiekmy94GyoPS_JsEIjSbkKuG9JgOsVYdhrTExh2N_77u43nB9zWeFjOeC4/s320/007.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
While <i><b>No Presents for Christmas</b></i> is marketed as a "limited edition," I have no idea how many copies were actually pressed. It's a fantastic-looking disc with the iconic photo of King and a reindeer on front and the garish European sleeve artwork adorning the b-side. While I have both tracks in great digital editions, this is a record that will solely be used for display purposes but I can confirm after its single play on the turntable that, for a picture disc, it sounds damn good with relatively minimal surface noise.<br />
<br />
I got mine from J&R Electronics. As of this writing - and I bet not for long - <a href="http://www.jr.com/product/productListing.jsp?Ntt=no+presents+for+christmas" target="_blank">they still have copies listed in stock for $13.99</a>. Grab one quickly if you haven't already because if there's no presents, you know, they don't give a damn.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5a5fHMlb4V0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-76568106696111763532012-11-30T20:05:00.001-05:002012-11-30T20:05:18.013-05:00Transparent Vinyl: Waiting for ViolenceI admit, I am impatient. It's hard not to get a little frustrated. This isn't "Ohio" and I sure as hell am not Atlantic circa 1970 but, <i>damn</i>, things just seem to take a long time:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaY7qEWw-3-Pb9K3TfkYMq2kEhSvjkxuN962al8jYzoMZC6Diu4vZJzDQweQHxRZ2HEp45cYjuvUySarh1RmomMwIfsXMHUw5hDYW_OsvA688TOY0blgUyvlPn4JcmI-6iCkgj5fu0Ak/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaY7qEWw-3-Pb9K3TfkYMq2kEhSvjkxuN962al8jYzoMZC6Diu4vZJzDQweQHxRZ2HEp45cYjuvUySarh1RmomMwIfsXMHUw5hDYW_OsvA688TOY0blgUyvlPn4JcmI-6iCkgj5fu0Ak/s320/002.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">winter is coming.<br />
grab a jacket.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>September 12</b> - Masters shipped for lacquers/plating; Pressing plant order placed and deposit and label artwork submitted.<br />
<b>September 23</b> - Vinyl is mastered onto a lacquer.<br />
<b>September 24</b> - Lacquer is shipped to be plated. Turnaround time quoted as 7-10 days to arrive at the pressing plant.<br />
<b>October 22</b> - Pressing plant finds the master plates (turns out they got them October 19).<br />
<b>November 2</b> - Test pressing received.<br />
<b>November 3</b> - Test pressing shipped to band for their approval.<br />
<b>November 5</b> - Test pressing approved, balance due transmitted to pressing plant.<br />
<b>November 16</b> - 300 of the 500 records ordered (3 of the 5 variants) delivered.<br />
<b>November 28</b> - Pressing plant states remainder of the order "should be completing and shipping by Friday if all goes well."<br />
<br />
<i>Should</i> and <i>if</i> aren't reassuring to me. Than again, maybe they shipped. I have learned that proactive communication is not a strong suit from anyone involved in this process (aside from the band, who are constantly on the ball).<br />
<br />
<i><b>If</b></i> all went well and everything did ship, we plan to open pre-orders once the records are received, likely late Tuesday evening, <b>December 4</b>. We should still be A-OK for a Christmas release (and, <b><i>if all goes well</i></b>, a hell of a trip to the Post Office for me on December 26). The band is waiting to see the vinyl so we can match the ink for the remaining jackets exactly. This will be a damn fine release.<br />
<br />
And it's worth the wait.Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-82219470282240133002012-11-25T09:50:00.002-05:002012-11-25T09:50:59.008-05:00Black Sunday: Father Befouled - Revulsion of Seraphic Grace (2012)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuT0GHtKV4JaHGbO5zdmLnnXXrLuwATfi0hx6B6zzDaOABxTvT6eeW6Bx2FuHRVqmzYrABfJsY_m-XglZE4mIYJwyfedgdMlYFIhoXbcOzIdk1ZHHP7k-pPTeps7gZWDLWKWkdHCfTl9Q/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuT0GHtKV4JaHGbO5zdmLnnXXrLuwATfi0hx6B6zzDaOABxTvT6eeW6Bx2FuHRVqmzYrABfJsY_m-XglZE4mIYJwyfedgdMlYFIhoXbcOzIdk1ZHHP7k-pPTeps7gZWDLWKWkdHCfTl9Q/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>rotting godless throne</b></i> 7" sold separately...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hot on the heels of another <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/search/label/black%20sunday" target="_blank"><b>Black Sunday</b></a> entry, <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/08/black-sunday-prosanctus-inferi-red.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Red Streams of Flesh</b></i></a>, I snatched up another project featuring <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/search/label/prosanctus%20inferi" target="_blank">Prosanctus Inferi</a>'s Jake Kohn, Father Befouled's <i><b>Revulsion of Seraphic Grace</b></i>, the band's third full-length record and a solid platter of crushing death.<br />
<br />
The record's fantastic heavy jacket features some intense, intricate and appropriately blasphemous artwork courtesy of Richard Friend. A double-sided insert provides all the appropriate credits and some stellar band member photos. The cover is reproduced on a glorious 18x24" poster inclued within but the real beauty here is the copper-colored vinyl. The platter itself is rendered in a very rich, barely transparent tone with traces of reds, yellows white and black. The jacket's sole splash of color on the band logo and title matches the vinyl perfectly and really creates an impressive package.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf89_bcImcBIKxNx_qrwHRyFFRD9cKWg3AwNWl6PRhOZhE3ERjoceU9OVBaQ3IZa7aCF-Eg0JOoNsnG_8vitP1dEj4qBoSrPuy-RHdp9kDVK3GbKmWDDrLPnmchyphenhyphenKE0IoxIn_-XwVn5-A/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf89_bcImcBIKxNx_qrwHRyFFRD9cKWg3AwNWl6PRhOZhE3ERjoceU9OVBaQ3IZa7aCF-Eg0JOoNsnG_8vitP1dEj4qBoSrPuy-RHdp9kDVK3GbKmWDDrLPnmchyphenhyphenKE0IoxIn_-XwVn5-A/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i><b>Revulsion of Seraphic Grace</b></i> sounds great, too. The album was released by Dark Descent Records and is available <a href="http://www.darkdescentrecords.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1981" target="_blank">in their webstore</a> (currently priced at $14.45) as well as bandleader Justin Stubbs/Ghoat's own <a href="http://archasm.storenvy.com/products/573137-father-befouled-revulsion-of-seraphic-grace-copper-vinyl" target="_blank">Archasm Releasing</a> distro (currently priced at $15.00). It appears that both black and copper variants are still currently available so there's no excuse for not filling someone's stocking with Father Befouled this holiday season.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7FGF5A8VJTT6-kdqbb5a3M85OOW-spICACglPdoQuy_b5oaz042XKnbHeOmOYox-udayWT5IJvLNaxVtJd1mWdqHP3ookGoh_-z5eG2rYCW1VDplEKytQ-iQ0lKzDs_b9dtYXwM_YBU/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7FGF5A8VJTT6-kdqbb5a3M85OOW-spICACglPdoQuy_b5oaz042XKnbHeOmOYox-udayWT5IJvLNaxVtJd1mWdqHP3ookGoh_-z5eG2rYCW1VDplEKytQ-iQ0lKzDs_b9dtYXwM_YBU/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-25802612652005973952012-11-24T18:53:00.000-05:002012-11-24T19:31:03.396-05:0010 of '12 - My Favorite Records from this Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmrK8zS65pNnKiO7D3cbgMJGNHhsAlK-j0PebOS8xRazC2VqPsAHBgNWQYPcsB1oGbwy5SVEF5CFOQiZHeExNyWomSQb-d6zX0xNDBKajHAmgSKUw5T-85JBwyj40hqGEe-znMlmeHX8/s1600/10-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmrK8zS65pNnKiO7D3cbgMJGNHhsAlK-j0PebOS8xRazC2VqPsAHBgNWQYPcsB1oGbwy5SVEF5CFOQiZHeExNyWomSQb-d6zX0xNDBKajHAmgSKUw5T-85JBwyj40hqGEe-znMlmeHX8/s400/10-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It's that time of year again. The release schedules peter out, I get busy with the usual holiday hubbub and my annual music acquisition pretty much dies until January. So, while 2012 seemed kinda weak compared to 2011, I still easily added double-digits worth of excellent albums to the library. From least best to most best and, for this year, a few almost-theres and a couple stinkers, here they are:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<u>10. <i><b>Phantom Antichrist</b></i> - Kreator (Nuclear Blast)</u><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/42/Kreator_-_Phantom_Antichrist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/42/Kreator_-_Phantom_Antichrist.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
A solid "classic-form" entry from these German thrashers barely beat out Testament's <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/08/dark-roots-of-earth-testament-2012.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Dark Roots of Earth</b></i></a> when it came to year-end summing up. While neither a stretch nor a surprise, <i><b>Phantom Antichrist</b></i> found Kreator doing what they do best and, frankly, in any given year that's almost a guaranteed spot in any favorite lists.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>9. <i><b>Monnos</b></i> - Conan (Burning World Records)</u><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTPt_T9RtwWngm2hiUlDdr_NisBaZMbeBijtf0nL3gZw79VO15AdIQ9v4HBmzWHvXc6Q4Yr_m2c6zTOCRpsmmMx9QnhHZIsAhmgT5_75xqtW7Nl5eOc69gXgrGshJPEDuGVw8Bj54ugY/s1600/monnos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTPt_T9RtwWngm2hiUlDdr_NisBaZMbeBijtf0nL3gZw79VO15AdIQ9v4HBmzWHvXc6Q4Yr_m2c6zTOCRpsmmMx9QnhHZIsAhmgT5_75xqtW7Nl5eOc69gXgrGshJPEDuGVw8Bj54ugY/s200/monnos.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The sleeve alone was nearly enough. Add in an utterly paralyzing sound that s l o w l y squeezes the breath from the listener and this Britdoom platter brings an ungodly weight to the Top Ten than none can match for unadorned heaviness for 2012.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>8. <i><b>Undead</b></i> - Six Feet Under (Metal Blade Records)</u><br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4d/SixFeetUnder_Undead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4d/SixFeetUnder_Undead.jpg" width="200" /></a>Six Feet Under's <i><b>Undead</b></i> still ranks as "surprise of the year" for me, coming from a band whose catalogue I had barely sampled and knew was less than respected in terms of progression in quality. A zombie aesthetic rendered in audio that succeeds in a field overcrowded with much of the same, <i><b>Undead </b></i>still refuses to lay down and continues to haunt my regular listening rotation. My original review <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/06/undead-six-feet-under-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>7. <i><b>we mean nothing.</b></i>- Slaves BC (self-released)</u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gGTeIXGYNeFounh1JOENqrzuiocRhGp4nCQZOpkILsQ05mz7PF-G1ArfVAqN8vGG_SQ9X-cstd8QdekBDxpQObCMyIoupcWazdAdEIy2-D1ck9mzTORNuOFM-azGG__SAFVfXTHaylw/s1600/cover+%252816%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gGTeIXGYNeFounh1JOENqrzuiocRhGp4nCQZOpkILsQ05mz7PF-G1ArfVAqN8vGG_SQ9X-cstd8QdekBDxpQObCMyIoupcWazdAdEIy2-D1ck9mzTORNuOFM-azGG__SAFVfXTHaylw/s200/cover+%252816%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPra-c8giwY4pJOq6XHWxdHhUstYoBz8mmq9inqQXPTjML8AJyI1EfSPgaoP1DMGIve31uSFrre_Iww7Hrxunc1hP-SWpYhcylbj3OGB7iRjuOIg3iTIszwk9TB5QUwzLUIe9VjEi-91Q/s1600/cover+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
Sludge that may or may not save your soul, Slaves BC dropped like a meteor into my 2012 and there has been little better than sifting through their dense sounds and potentially celestial origins. My original review <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/11/we-mean-nothing-slaves-bc-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<u>6. <i><b>The Black Chord</b></i> - Astra (Rise Above Records)</u></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6mR8PZO_CqIy2x_aaELrm0kSdLmFm8vjgM5fsHp7P56b86qQDutMJZ5P4ny2pWskUSAZarXM18XAZb33MfBknBpbaC5xrzv5d6Y0N8vTbeujZseSH5QGexyyAzeJq9SK6OyuJ3YueNA/s1600/blackchord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6mR8PZO_CqIy2x_aaELrm0kSdLmFm8vjgM5fsHp7P56b86qQDutMJZ5P4ny2pWskUSAZarXM18XAZb33MfBknBpbaC5xrzv5d6Y0N8vTbeujZseSH5QGexyyAzeJq9SK6OyuJ3YueNA/s200/blackchord.jpg" width="200" /></a>Prog throwback that somehow propels the genre forward, Astra's <i><b>The Black Chord</b></i> has the band at two for two, with a catalogue unmatched by any relative newcomers to the game and, for lack of a better term, progressively better with this, their sophomore release. My original review <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/03/black-chord-astra-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>5. <i><b>The Electric Age</b></i> - Overkill (eOne)</u><br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/ff/Overkillelectric.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/ff/Overkillelectric.jpeg" width="200" /></a>Still my favorite new "old" discovery in years, <i><b>The Electric Age</b></i> started a (still ongoing) backward acquisition of the Overkill discography, a gift that keeps on giving. In a year without a new Motörhead record, Overkill have more than filled the gap. My original review <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/04/electric-age-overkill-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>4. <i><b>Born of the Bomb</b></i> - Lich King (self-released)</u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb2F8X9tVw5fnlJ2oN4UEOaQfzt9mTGDXU8H71_0MM9as5qsTKbZUc-hokwGJv4CEvlGLBOsXdxsXs3zIcVTGIemNY2dRjmzkWjkiy54YuvCwvvyDeaWoGCauIwh91HefH05vLX5IaSc/s1600/LKbomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb2F8X9tVw5fnlJ2oN4UEOaQfzt9mTGDXU8H71_0MM9as5qsTKbZUc-hokwGJv4CEvlGLBOsXdxsXs3zIcVTGIemNY2dRjmzkWjkiy54YuvCwvvyDeaWoGCauIwh91HefH05vLX5IaSc/s200/LKbomb.jpg" width="200" /></a>Thrashterpiece of 2012, Lich King's <i><b>Born of the Bomb</b></i> is their crowning achievement. It's well worth noting that their entry here at Number Four starts a run of self-released gems that rival hundreds of big label records, not only in terms of production and presentation, but, above all, composition and execution. My original review <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/10/born-of-bomb-lich-king-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>3. <i><b>Denied Salvation</b></i> - Dismemberment (self-released)</u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRH3x9RU4ndvWgIMFs8CIz0RLUqIe4SVwTeqLMGOTfXmByAGD0u681WEUSYlAgoH22NavfrVtvws8X3tM0a_Dy1mdbdCQngsDc4qr7asqyjQUpaSTUugiS75U22MUdSJkI8aLJP9Fog4/s1600/FINALcover+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRH3x9RU4ndvWgIMFs8CIz0RLUqIe4SVwTeqLMGOTfXmByAGD0u681WEUSYlAgoH22NavfrVtvws8X3tM0a_Dy1mdbdCQngsDc4qr7asqyjQUpaSTUugiS75U22MUdSJkI8aLJP9Fog4/s200/FINALcover+copy.jpg" width="196" /></a>Dismemberment hit #3 again this year with another killer that could have as easily ranked at any spot higher (with music this good separating the cream from the cream is so absolutely difficult). As with last year, I fully expect to see these guys atop this list next year with a well-known label following their name - it's just a matter of time before more of the music world takes notice. My original review <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/02/denied-salvation-dismemberment-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>2. <i><b>A King Reborn</b></i> - Kingsblood (self-released)</u><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pj2cQoGoB1MRuZtH8jzERhWYcjxkj7BcQy7loDP28qXAh3ucObUUiSu3OPxqdYBkL7k_meG7TCCfDOfkN4sudTttL8Pk-_HTkuqsEvBlnoofpbT8CTJIhFcpRQ1e2PT4rfCbpbM8cu4/s1600/kingreborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pj2cQoGoB1MRuZtH8jzERhWYcjxkj7BcQy7loDP28qXAh3ucObUUiSu3OPxqdYBkL7k_meG7TCCfDOfkN4sudTttL8Pk-_HTkuqsEvBlnoofpbT8CTJIhFcpRQ1e2PT4rfCbpbM8cu4/s200/kingreborn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
My expectations were sky-high for the recorded debut of the revamped and reborn Kingsblood and they delivered in spades. <i><b>A King Reborn</b></i> provides an album's worth of power across four tracks. With the bar this high I can only imagine what a true full-length will sound like. My original review <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/05/king-reborn-kingsblood-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>1. <i><b>Torture</b></i> - Cannibal Corpse (Metal Blade Records)</u><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c5/Cannibalcorpsetorture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c5/Cannibalcorpsetorture.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
The current pinnacle of an admirable career, <i><b>Torture</b></i> could have been an easy cruise for Cannibal Corpse. Rather than phone it in, the band instead presented an album that deserves an audience outside of its genre. The stellar musicianship and songwriting on <i><b>Torture</b></i> will find themselves limited only by reputation, subject matter and graphic presentation and it's a damn shame. This is a metal classic, not only for 2012, but for all time. My original review <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/03/torture-cannibal-corpse-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Honorable Mentions</u><br />
No one did hard rock better in 2012 than The Midnight Ghost Train and, lumbering as it may be, <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/08/buffalo-midnight-ghost-train-2012.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Buffalo</b></i></a> handily beat a couple entries from a Crazy Horse to place; Frost Giant heaved <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/10/when-myth-and-history-merged-into.html" target="_blank">three-fifths of a masterpiece</a> onto the scene; Vitamin X put some punk back onto my shelves in a big way with <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/08/about-to-crack-vitamin-x-2012.html" target="_blank"><i><b>About to Crack</b></i></a><i><b> </b></i>and PiL put <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/07/this-is-pil-public-image-ltd-2012.html" target="_blank">a new album by an old punk</a> onto the shelves as well; <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/04/de-vermis-mysteriis-high-on-fire-2012.html" target="_blank">High on Fire</a> dipped into Cthulhu and Witch Mountain brewed up <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/07/cauldron-of-wild-witch-mountain-2012.html" target="_blank"><b><i>Cauldron of the Wild</i></b></a>.<br />
<br />
<u>Crushing Disappointments</u><br />
KISS didn't disappoint so much as they delivered the turd I expected and it was a <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/10/monster-kiss-2012.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Monster</b></i></a>; Classic rock cohort Joe Walsh spat up the halfhearted <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/06/analog-man-joe-walsh-2012.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Analog Man</b></i></a>; recent favorites Havok cashed in on some <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/05/point-of-no-return-havok-2012.html" target="_blank">half-baked extras</a> and Job for a Cowboy finally proved to me once and for all that they're horrible with <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/2012/04/demonocracy-job-for-cowboy-2012.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Demonocracy</b></i></a>, a record that makes me ashamed of their entry onto my 2011 list.</div>
Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8404122288498972701.post-25523084911532898362012-11-18T05:37:00.000-05:002012-11-18T05:37:00.514-05:00Black Sunday: John Carpenter & Alan Howarth - Halloween II & Halloween III: Season of the Witch (2012)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2J7zXm2F_iGGOS9UskfCTIhuxa0SeEZkQbVfmJq5XKQyz1GNTxdp4PcULrxtcWKbR0xljt5o5_Zgz1M6PtpL93BPZMOygeXUXXC4wcFQM68LUrPtXBLL-Wy4YhhSQCuqOyTc-K4Tlxno/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2J7zXm2F_iGGOS9UskfCTIhuxa0SeEZkQbVfmJq5XKQyz1GNTxdp4PcULrxtcWKbR0xljt5o5_Zgz1M6PtpL93BPZMOygeXUXXC4wcFQM68LUrPtXBLL-Wy4YhhSQCuqOyTc-K4Tlxno/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
A couple weeks too late, this <a href="http://gogmagogical.blogspot.com/search/label/black%20sunday" target="_blank"><b>Black Sunday</b></a> is devoted to Halloween; specifically, two magnificent scores recently reissued on vinyl, <i><b>Halloween II</b></i> and <i><b>Halloween III: Season of the Witch</b></i>, both from John Carpenter and Alan Howarth. Both come from the fantastic <a href="http://www.deathwaltzrecordingcompany.com/" target="_blank">Death Waltz Recording Company</a>, a label dedicated to vinyl reissues of cult film soundtracks.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfTBNUskuVUBLwNe6z9ZBWFhyHxTqJcUsLCICLk93ClRAARdt7uPGOH1VFfrysf-EWCJ5DFYxv0bbgI_LL1J2OE2hfAUp-Ri1-R5bSdCuFbtBmmKfdYqOjUA-LsiQW628IwLAojPCCAE/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfTBNUskuVUBLwNe6z9ZBWFhyHxTqJcUsLCICLk93ClRAARdt7uPGOH1VFfrysf-EWCJ5DFYxv0bbgI_LL1J2OE2hfAUp-Ri1-R5bSdCuFbtBmmKfdYqOjUA-LsiQW628IwLAojPCCAE/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a>While both scores are undoubtedly ingrained in the brains of the Halloween series' fans (with red-headed stepchild, <i><b>Halloween III</b></i>, a personal favorite - I'll go out on a limb here and proclaim it one of the finest film scores I've ever heard and an essential entry into the library of anyone appreciating analog-era electronica), the Death Waltz Recording Company has gone above and beyond here in terms of presentation. Absolutely brand-new, <i>stunning </i>artwork graces these jackets, with <i><b>Halloween II</b></i> done up nicely by Brandon Schaefer and <i><b>Season of the Witch</b></i>, my favorite here, too, handled by Jay Shaw. From Shaw's own liner notes: <i>When I sat down to create the cover for this release I wanted to not only evoke the tone of the film and score but to embed a piece of the movie into the art itself. Aside from the transmission imagery and the 1982 color palette/design aesthetic there's a much more significant connection here. The image is actually a photo I took of the scene at the end of the film where Challis is screaming "Turn it off! Stop it! Stop it!" into the telephone while one TV station is still playing Cochran's evil broadcast. I opened the photo in a text editor, which produced a jumbled mess of random characters. I then typed the sentence "eight more days till Halloween" and re-saved it as an image file. Once that image was opened again it looked like this. A scrambled signal waiting to be decoded.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMawELIxtLR0_ctzRFQnO08Pjb4-Fftq-PPhJj2WwS1gnZYSe8Mo3r0nOtlBfM0CUqdEQQn87-bIseFZ38M9oH9WeZBvBkG_XbQTCAHgODYmRKiJ-tTThPSQmAjKjFy8KG_Mjf9htFqtk/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMawELIxtLR0_ctzRFQnO08Pjb4-Fftq-PPhJj2WwS1gnZYSe8Mo3r0nOtlBfM0CUqdEQQn87-bIseFZ38M9oH9WeZBvBkG_XbQTCAHgODYmRKiJ-tTThPSQmAjKjFy8KG_Mjf9htFqtk/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Each record comes with a poster recreating the jacket artwork and the jackets themselves feature both the cover art and artist photos in a gloss finish. Notes on composition and recording from Alan Howarth occupy the rear of each jacket. Mine, purchased stateside from <a href="http://www.20buckspinshop.com/" target="_blank">20 Buck Spin</a>, are both black vinyl while <a href="http://www.deathwaltzrecordingcompany.com/product-category/vinyl/" target="_blank">Death Waltz's own UK-based shop</a> lists editions in orange-and-black vinyl that also include 12x12" lithographs - may be worth the extra bucks...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNNGtlrfvt-jyQZxT-TrVg21zHNPBEDhO8AdljPEp07F2KQWxgp9Z8Dtow-rQ3ZimNS97PxHeczCRf5no0R6s_0GiIeF0FFKj6j3ip6vVciFq1A3LIyLVuG1S9svWrC9gX8qiJ0z7y_Q/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNNGtlrfvt-jyQZxT-TrVg21zHNPBEDhO8AdljPEp07F2KQWxgp9Z8Dtow-rQ3ZimNS97PxHeczCRf5no0R6s_0GiIeF0FFKj6j3ip6vVciFq1A3LIyLVuG1S9svWrC9gX8qiJ0z7y_Q/s200/009.JPG" width="200" /></a>The tiny details matter, too. The dialogue on the jacket spines and Silver Shamrock logo on <i><b>Halloween III</b></i> indicate real devotion to the source material. Releases such as these are a genuine pleasure to own and play and Death Waltz not only offers other John Carpenter titles (<i><b>Prince of Darkness</b></i> and <i><b>Escape from New York</b></i> with <a href="http://www.deathwaltzrecordingcompany.com/shop/they-live/" target="_blank"><i><b>They Live</b></i> coming soon</a>) but also <a href="http://www.deathwaltzrecordingcompany.com/shop/death-waltz-subscription-service-vol-2/" target="_blank">a subscription service</a> guaranteeing exclusive variants for a lucky club of 200 subscribers. It's this type of fan-friendly thought that will keep me actively watching - and buying from - this label. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gi8sLRoEJajU94trW2NJH8SqbblRa8wE0r6cmLTuckZHiVamDNZRq8xn0Vh8i8Ty7MUS0cygmyroRjok94HVQv82SBkxntRdRcYcCS6bKG_MgMA-rCZL-gXyELoEbhlt_PPsvOF-TTM/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gi8sLRoEJajU94trW2NJH8SqbblRa8wE0r6cmLTuckZHiVamDNZRq8xn0Vh8i8Ty7MUS0cygmyroRjok94HVQv82SBkxntRdRcYcCS6bKG_MgMA-rCZL-gXyELoEbhlt_PPsvOF-TTM/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Gogmagoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685197156340996125noreply@blogger.com0