BAZ Underground Updates XXXV

Already it’s been another week, and our writers Julia Katrin and Tom Boatman know that they are not the only BAZ writers that jump in their seats when they are reminded of the fact that the year is almost over. Perhaps it is for the best, since in many ways this year has felt like a terrible waste. But on the other hand, we hope you have so far and will continue to take advantage of the activities and merchandise that have been offered to us from the safety of our homes. Of course, this week is no different!

So, let’s see what’s out there…

Band: Steel Panther

This coming Saturday the 5^th of December, there will be a special treat coming from the Viper Room for Gobblefest as Steel Panther performs a virtual concert, and what is more, you can head over here now and secure a double ticket for the upcoming show plus a very special Formal As Fuck New Year´s Eve Special, which will be held on New Year´s Eve, as implied. Steel Panther has been active with live shows to keep us occupied and we do remember their very entertaining Halloween Show in October. So equip yourself with Steel Panther´s motto „Double your pleasure“ and head over to the page to get your ticket and possibly even build up more and more discount on fabulous merchandise, but keep in mind that the special double offer will expire on the fifth. For all the information you need you can also head over here.

Band: Majestica

If you have already gotten into a major Christmas spirit, then you should be excited for this coming thursday, december 3rd, when Majestica will be hosting a pre-listening livestream party where you will be the first to hear “A Christmas Carol” on Facebook! There are three available stream packs at the group´s webstore, each more mmmmmmajestic then the next! And even if you havent gotten into the holiday spirit yet, this will be a great chance to really get into it. After all, what’s a better way to celebrate the holidays than in the metal way?

Band: Monolord

Though I’m not always the biggest fan of instrumental Metal, the Stoner/ Doom Metal of Monolord is so irresistibly thick and creamy, like a pungent fog of smoke belching from a chocolate milkshake motorcycle, I barely register that there are no vocals kicking in. Those grooves are just so damned finger lickin’ good! Originally released in 2014 and 2015, the band’s first two albums “Empress Rising” and “Vænir” have already gone through a frankly absurd number of vinyl represses, but hey, I haven’t picked up one yet and maybe that time has finally come for you to do the same (if you haven’t already). For US customers you can check out the available pressings here and here, and if shipping from Europe is more convenient you can go to RidingEasy Records EU here.

Band: MSW

Often releasing music under the Hell moniker, Salem’s M.S.W. (Matthew S. Williams) is a pretty incredible talent, burning away with white-hot intensity deep in the underground depths of Doom Metal (or “extreme doom and piano music” as he calls it). Earlier this year, the latest release “Obliviosus” – an album dealing with his brother’s struggles with addiction – arrived with all the soaring, raging, pained catharsis anyone who knows MSW’s music would expect. Now the album has been given a CD and vinyl release and you can snap them up here. Listen to a sample below.

Band: Scour

Whatever you may think of his many and varied musical projects, I defy anyone to say that Phil Anselmo has gone soft or mellowed out. While this year’s excellent En Minor album was quite a change of pace, you can be sure a ridiculously extreme release was only round the corner and here we are with the third self-titled EP of Black Metal supergroup Scour. Also featuring members of Cattle Decapitation, Agoraphobic Nosebleed and Pig Destroyer, there reference points should leave you in no doubt that this is not a suitable soundtrack for your neighbours sweet 16 party, but hey, if you want to get it cranked and spreading terror through your walls it isn’t our place to stand in your way. Grab a CD, vinyl or  cassette copy here (alongside a range of bundle options), and give yourself and your loved ones a blast of Extreme Metal horror with this sample below.

Band: Bethmoora

It is to my great shame and regret that I have somehow let a Sludgelord Records release come round without having been ready and waiting like a dog with its mouth wide open in anticipation for a treat. The release in question is the debut long player from Denmark’s Bethmoora “Thresholds” and what a thing of dark heaviness this is. Part Sludge, part Doom, 100% liable to melt a hole in your floor. You can pick up one of two coloured vinyl editions here, as well as a range of bundle offers featuring other choice picks from the Sludgelord Records catalogue. LET YOUR SPEAKER DIE!

As many things have been hard to believe this year, it is also hard to believe that December has finally rolled around and only four weeks left until a new and hopefully better year will be upon us. Whatever December throws at us we will be ready for, while blasting our heads with live metal shows wearing stylish merchandise. All you need to do is take advantage of it all.

By Julia Katrin and Tom Boatman

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