Sweet Heart, Open Ear: May 2022

Deaf Club – Bad Songs Forever


Justin Pearson can do no wrong. I’ve reached a few different conclusions after listening to this four-song EP a few times: There is a cool table, and then there is an even cooler table; the table where those who sit at the cool table wish they sat. This cooler table is where Deaf Club sits. Everything about this release is balanced. Nothing in the mix is louder than it needs to be. It sounds almost understated. I can’t think of another example of carefully understated grindcore off the top of my head. Deaf Club… Read more

Best of Technical Death Metal 2021


So, the question on everyone’s lips: who had the craziest chops of 2021?


Number Five: Sleep Terror – Above Snakes


Let’s start with a fun one! Luke Jaeger’s band Sleep Terror released a spaghetti Western-themed tech-death album this year, and it’s great! You get a great show of musicianship from the tech-death side of things, but also from the Country music side of things, with calls to Albert Lee and others! Fantastic job!


Number Four: Ophidian I – Desolate


One of the surprises of the year: Reykjavík’s Ophidian I, with one of the best over-the-top tech-death albums of 2021! Their … Read more

Best of Brutal Death Metal 2021


It’s all in the name: brutal death metal. Brootal! That’s what I want from my BDM: riffs that punch me in the face, drums that gravity blast my boding into a black hole, and a stiff neck. Sure, you might find some progressive and technical death metal in that category, they sometimes cross over each other, but points will be given for pitiless riffs here. If it has the St. Anger snare, that’s bonus points! So let’s jump right in!


Number Five: Purulence – Xenarch


This is a new name for me, and they legitimized their place on this top … Read more