What you should be doing when you read my blog is download the albums right away and then listen to them while you gaze upon my words of wisdom so in that way you can read my brilliance and experience the equally brilliant music filling your ears in a cacophony of excellence.
Let us begin.
Vampire Mooose - Self Titled (2003)
St. Louis inhabitants Vampire Mooose have been releasing some of the finest blend of jazz influenced hardcore and metal I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. If I were to name a band that these guys resemble I would have to say "Process of Self Development" era Candiria. Vampire Mooose take the same approach as Candiria by fully exercising their musical talents in the way of heavy music with intriguing angles. While the Mooose doesn't spin off in jazz heavy breaks or rapping like the aforementioned act, they certainly carry their influences on their sleeve as one listen to their self titled release will tell you. Just listen to the single "Adamantium Elbow" and you'll hear what I mean.
Vampire Mooose continues to put out albums through Rotten Records, the band just released "The Reel" but they tour very little, and basically make albums when they can. This is unfortunate because there is certainly a place for them in heavy music but due to their amount of activity they will never see a sliver of the notoriety they deserve, so it's up to you to get the word out because I've already done my share to inform you.
Karst - Vision of Insane Hope (2003)
Savannah Georgia's defunct Karst were a precursor for Damad which was a precursor for Kylesa. Karst and Damad both featured Victoria Scalisi on vocals and Damad had Kylesa founder Philip Cope on guitars and backing vocals. All three bands share the same qualities but it would be Kylesa who went on to really elaborate and develop the sound.
Getting back to Karst, the band was short lived but managed to put out a few haunting releases, one being the album mentioned here "Vision of Insane Hope" which was released on a now defunct label in my area called Hater of God records. Karst took a page out of the book of sludge pioneers like Eyehategod and put their own destructive twist on things with their grooving blend of rocking doom.
It doesn't get much dirtier than this but don't get me wrong, this is not some slack jawed release. Given the area they come out of, there's plenty of grooving going on within the sludgy nature of the band's sound. Karst also makes use of multiple voices as can be heard in their back and forth schizophrenic display of well arranged vocal patterns. There's plenty of charged deep layered rhythmic passages that carry a great mid paced feel to the songs to keeps things lively. They are able to take the sludgy aspect of the style and give it momentum which in return results in a very heavy release.
This band will not be forgotten!
I have this album
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