Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genres: Death Metal, Progressive Grindcore
Label: Relapse Records

FTF have been a favorite of mine for a long time, as readers of this site may well know. When I was given the opportunity to download and review the new album from the PR company, I was stoked. So yeah, I downloaded the promo, listened to it a couple times, and loved it. But never had the actual time to get my thoughts on it down. Then last night I was in HMV and ended up grabbing a copy of the album. So now that I have the physical version I’m making the time to review it properly.

This is definitely one of the strangest FTF albums so far. It has the grinding of previous albums Stigmata High Five and Disgorge Mexico, but it blends in more of the death metal influence that was very obvious on the Unnamed 7″. Absent are the slower, pretty parts that hearken back to 80′s thrash (especially Metallica) that were featured on Disgorge Mexico. The songs seem longer too, and in continuing with FTF traditions, there is a long song that is almost seven-and-a-half minutes long (“Census Blank”). This song also has a guy doing vocals on it, but due to the awesome amounts of liner notes for the album I have no idea who is doing them. Probably one of the guys in the band.

The second-longest song brings in another FTF tradition, a song in French! “95″ is the tune, and it’s a really fast, angry sounding track that makes me want to mosh like crazy, especially during the guitar solo. This one is a good example of the strangeness of the album too: it’s got a slower riff that really strikes me as a Black Sabbath worship riff. Totally doomy with a touch of psychrock going on.

These little sections are peppered all over the album, riffs that just are not typical grindcore or death metal, but bringing in other genres that influence the men and lady of FTF. And the way that they work with the more typical Fuck the Facts sound is amazing!

In the end, Die Miserable is a sweet album, and definitely should be looked at for those that are into Pig Destroyer, Buried Inside, Gigan, Napalm Death, and Nasum.

8.5 out of 10.

Fuck the Facts on Facebook.

Genre: Grindcore
Label: Independent

FTF, one of my favorite grind bands ever since I heard the song “Dear Shit Book”, have recently released a new 7″, the Unnamed EP.
It’s fast, short, and vicious as hell. If you’ve ever heard FTF before, this is pretty much what fan have come to expect. It’s not a huge change since Disgorge Mexico, with a more death metal sound and some touches of noise, but it does show growth.
Of course, if you’re looking for the same FTF that was around circa 2003, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. But, after hearing the first track, you’ll know – this is going to be a classic record from Fuck the Facts.
One of the coolest things about the release besides the music and the fact that it’s totally indie, it’s the art. Mel, the vocalist for those that don’t know, did the art for it. And I fucking love it. See below for pictures.
If you’ve never heard this band before, think of newer Pig Destroyer, Leng Tch’e, and a little Napalm Death.
8 out of 10.

Fuck the Facts on MySpace.

Emerging from the caustic burrows of Chicago comes the monolith of metal known as LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR, a sonic “fuck you” to the current trends and sub-genres of metal who carry the torch of metal’s roots (Celtic Frost, Slayer, Motorhead) with a death breath of fresh air, and spitting gas on the flames.

The Greek mythology-inspired carnage continues on LOTM’s upcoming fourth full-length, Evil Power. The CD and digital download will be released on April 13, 2010 on The Grind-House Records, an independent record label started by Steve Rathbone, Chris Wozniak (both from LOTM) and Josh Diebel (former head of Alleysweeper Records). The record will be distributed by Southern Lord, who have released the band’s previous three albums on CD and vinyl, two EPs and DVD.

Evil Power lays all in its path to waste with an approach as heavy as the Kraken, while showing off the band’s heavy rock and punk influences. A deluxe LP version will be released in late summer 2010, featuring a bonus track not available on CD or digital download. Check out the Scott Jackson cover art, and hear the track “We Are Hades” at the band’s MySpace page now.

The album was recorded in the dead of winter in Chicago at Semaphore Studios by Sanford Parker, and mastered by Scott Hull. Rathbone states, “If War Metal Battle Master was the war, Evil Power is the party after a bloody victory.” The album features new bassist, Nate Olp (vocalist/bassist of Demiricous) and guest backing vocals by General Diabolical Slaughter (Usurper), bringing mucho mayhem to the fold.

A new video for the title track, “Evil Power”, will be released with the album. Rathbone warns, “There will be blood! This video is unrelentingly brutal.” Directed by Ryan Oliver, the special effects master behind the “War Metal Battle Master” video and head of Chicago based Deathblow Productions. His credits include The Toolbox Murders and Among the Dead. The video’s horror theme graphically details the torment of some unlucky virgins, sacrificed to the mighty Minotaur. An uncut version will be available on the web (also in HD), and a TV edit will be shown on MTV2/Headbangers Ball, Fuse and On Demand.

Coinciding with the release, the band is headlining a U.S. tour through the Midwest and East Coast in April:

4/16/2010 Melody Inn – Indianapolis, IN
4/17/2010 Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH
4/19/2010 M Room – Philadelphia, PA
4/20/2010 Sonar – Baltimore, MD
4/21/2010 The Charleston – Brooklyn, NY
4/22/2010 Velvet Lounge – Washington DC
4/23/2010 Broadway Joe’s – Buffalo, NY
4/24/2010 The Summit – Columbus, OH