Metal Briefs: What I Missed in 2012

Let's Back Up a Minute

A few things from last year slipped my attention before, and I'd like to rectify the situation.

Vulgaari: Vulgaari
4.5 out of 5 stars

Do you remember how awesome Zakk Wylde used to be? Vulgaari do. They're a Minnesota band who use a love of the greatest American guitarists of the 90's (Wylde and Dimebag) in service of creating some crushing death/doom. Death/doom can get dull by jamming on the same riff for too long, and too much soloing (even when it's raunchy) can get old just as quickly. But when you marry the two, as Vulgaari have done, you create something special. "Match" is something like a Pantera ballad played by Evoken. "Lie" is just fucking awesome. You have to hear this.




Istengoat: MMXII (EP)
3.5 out of 5 stars

Istengoat is a Chilean death metal band of the old-school persuasion. They play fast and slow, and the vocals are hoarse death growls, so I'm going to go out on a limb here and say they might appeal to Asphyx fans. There's nothing unique about them, but some of these riffs slay it (see "Avatara").



The Gathering: Disclosure
3.5 out of 5 stars

OK, technically I didn't miss this one. I gave it a summary judgment a while back, stating that my inability to get anything out of it was "probably my defect more than theirs." Months later, I gave it another shot, and I feel like I'm in the right place for it now. I'm still going to warn many of you away, because it's mostly light atmospheric rock. But those female vocals are beautiful, the atmosphere is compelling with its electronic touches, and their pop sensibilities are tempered by their progressive tendencies. Plus, it has more distorted guitar than I remember.