journalism Archives - Noob Heavy

Australian Heavypedia: Judd Madden (Solo Doom)

July 12, 2019 Noob Heavy admin

During my process of contacting bands for the Aussie Metal project I had the fortune of coming across the droning and elaborate tunes of Judd Madden. A prolific solo project from Melbourne. I’m used to one man bands in black metal but it feels less common in doom, a genre often demanding the thickest of sounds. Judd Madden not only manages to do this alone, but also often erring on the side of wistful post-metal. He also has exceptional art across his discography so I knew I had to delve deeper into what he had to offer as an individual musician. As it turns out, there’s a lot to explore – even more than the initial Bandcamp page lets on. I’m most familiar with Cosmic Black Wizard Demon Horse Lord (Top left) which should become a quick favorite for many long form doom metal fans. There’s a decade worth of content, all accessible for free. […]

Album Review: Hela – Death May Die 9.2 (Doom Metal)

June 12, 2019 Noob Heavy admin

A far darker opening than I was expecting. Apparently the opener track is based on the story “The nameless city” by Lovecraft (read). The song titles alone say to me that this is a chronological story starting with a horrible discovery, The Gateway. There’s some kind of mythical figure and perhaps the revelation of evil, Mothers Of Monsters and Touched By Evil. Then that touch of evil infests or takes hold in the form of the Dark Passenger – possibly analogous of mental illness or possession. This passenger causes chaos and unnatural acts, resulting in Repulsion – of self and externally. The Gateway inevitable leads to Bodies Burning In Hell – The end destruction, death or suicide from madness and hell because of the corruption. […]

Album Review: Iron Eagle – Audio Nasty 9 (Grindcore)

June 10, 2019 Noob Heavy admin

It’s been a while since I’ve heard some good punk influenced death metal. Deathgrind, grindcore, whatever you want to call this, It’s pretty fucking rad and definitely some dirty shit through and through. It’s not as simple as you’d expect though, with many tasty treats hidden beneath a repulsive outer layer. The name is based on an old movie, Iron Eagle, if that gives you any insight into their more playful influences, humor and old films have always been effective within the genre. […]

Album Review: Solus – Insight 8 (Black Metal)

May 31, 2019 Noob Heavy admin

I will preface this review with the fact that I enjoy melodic black metal and typically can’t stand symphonic metal of any kind. But this self recorded and self released solo project is winning me over with the symphonic aspect, it’s a lot darker than it’s typically arranged. It’s an interesting little detour away from all of the bigger bands. It’s more about the project itself, the craftsmanship and hobby. […]

Album Review: Spirit Adrift – Divided By Darkness 7.9 (Heavy Metal)

May 31, 2019 Noob Heavy admin

I discovered this one on bandcamp because of the album cover. It’s pretty awesome and something I noticed is that there’s the artist signature at the bottom, there’s a good idea for you cover artists frustrated by bands or labels not giving credit on promo and bandcamp. This one is done by Joe Petagno. He’s done other Spirit Adrift records but I haven’t heard them. You can visit Joe’s site here and his impressive discog here. I like how he’s filled wherever space would be with some kind of dangerous creature or symbol. There’s a lot going. […]

Album Review: Monolord – Rust 10 (Doom Metal)

May 28, 2019 Noob Heavy admin

This is a record that hit me so hard right off the bat in a way I have rarely experienced. Typically I’m listening in anticipation of an intro or a build up or even listening with a level of incredulity. Monolord broke right through that bullshit with Rust. It’s so immediately present with such thick riffs. They aren’t aggressive riffs as much as they are a menacing in their pure size. The widest tones around. […]