Barghest- Untitled (2011)

Been jamming on this one quite a bit recently. Barghest is a black metal band from Baton Rouge, LA, featuring current Thou guitarist Matthew Thudium and former Thou drummer Terry Gulino. For some reason people have been comparing this album to Burzum's early/mid output. I don't see it. Perhaps it's just because I'm not that big on Burzum (politics aside, his music just doesn't do for me what it does for so many). Personally, I would compare it to Weakling. Granted, Barghest is a bit more straightforward than Weakling (no proggy bits to be found here), but in terms of epic, tremolo-picked riffs and soaring leads that make you want to put on your best scowl and throw up your claws, Untitled is one of the few albums I've heard that can rival Dead As Dreams.

I will warn you that the production is pretty raw. I know it's intentional and part of the whole black metal aesthetic, but it's just about the only thing keeping me from crowning this album of the year. There is some really awesome guitar work on this album that kinda gets lost in the wash. Headphones and a sharp ear recommended.

Barghest on last.fm 

Unfortunately, "Hellish Entrancement" wasn't up on YouTube, that song is the jam. This one is great too. Warning though, whoever upped this video had a really shitty quality MP3 of the song. The production on this album isn't great, but it isn't nearly as bad as this video would lead you to believe.



Get it here. Sorry for the Megaupload link, but this was the only 320kbps rip I could find.

New Thou Material

Thou has posted tracks from some of their upcoming releases to their site. There are a lot of bands who, even when I'm looking forward to a new album, there's the worry that it's going to be a disappointment or the knowledge that the band in all likelihood won't ever be able to top a previous album of theirs. Thou is not one of those bands. Which is all the more astounding due to the fact that they're so ridiculously prolific. Anyway, if Summit didn't do it for you and you miss the bludgeon you to death Thou of old, then these EPs are for you.

To The Chaos Wizard Youth EP
Big City EP (Split w/ Cower)
The Archer & The Owle EP