Feature: Kingdom of Magic / Sod Hauler Split

When Adrian of Locust Tree Records sent this record over he described it as a "rifftastic masterpiece" and I really can't say that I disagree. This is a split from (Denver band) Kingdom of Magic and (Seattle band) Sod Hauler and since this is actually a pretty amazing split and also something that would be difficult to come across without a bit of friendly promotion, allow me to proudly uptalk this in the remainder of this post.

So yeah - here are two hard rocking bands that are really on their way to making their mark on the face of heavy music; Kingdom of Magic starts the split off with a raging couple of tracks with a noise rock touch and lots of mind bending, catchy riffs, then Sod Hauler turns the rock up even harder with some low end, doom-tinged heavy rock tracks. All in all the high levels of awesome riff-age and unexpected twists and turns in this split make it a really fun listen. Below I included a track listing and a download of "They Say She's Evil" by Sod Hauler. Listen, enjoy, and buy the 12" (go to the label's myspace page here... it's kind of worth purchasing for the album art alone in my mind) if you like what you hear.

Kingdom of Magic
1)Order of the Purple Rhinestone Eagle
2)Elephant Men

Sod Hauler
3)Men Of Oak
4)They Say She's Evil (DL: They Say She's Evil)
5)Horseless Head

Split: Ancestors / Graveyard

Here is a split single by Tee Pee label mates Ancestors and Graveyard. Ancestors are a band that I'm really into (especially at the moment) becuase of their experimental, heavy, psychedelic and sometimes very unexpected sound. Their track on this split is called "Antler Wings" and offers up upbeat rock, psychedelic organs and down-tuned, doom ridden heaviness all in one mindfuck of a song. I'm also really into Graveyard becuase of their amazing emulation of 70's heavy rock, and this includes a live version of their track "As the Years Pass By, The Hours Bend". All in all this is fairly perfect for a split 7" and definitely worth your time. Another gem from the Volcom singles club.

1. Antler Wings (Ancestors)

2. As the Years Pass by, The Hours Bend (Graveyard)

DL: "Ancestors / Graveyard Split"

Split: Melvins / Isis

Oh hey, remember when I was making all those posts anticipating this split a while ago? Well, finally, here are some MP3s of the Melvins / Isis split 12" that was released on Hydra Head recently. As you may know, Isis are no more so take advantage of this (and some alternate tracks from the newest Melvins release!) while you can.

1. Pig House (alternate version) (Melvins)

2. I'll Finish You Off (alternate version) (Melvins)

3. Way Through Woven Branches

4. The Pliable Foe

DL: "Melvins / Isis Split"

Split: VALIS / Kitty Kitty

This is the first thing ever released by Van Conner's own psychedelic/heavy rock project, VALIS - a split with (Van's brother) Patrick Conner's project, Kitty Kitty. There must have been some kinds of psychedelics in the water at the Conner house becuase this split offers up some really trippy tunes that are super rocking and enjoyable. You get 4 tracks from each band, and although the Kitty Kitty tracks are good, the VALIS tracks are what really shine for me on this split; actually, this showcases VALIS in their prime supergroup days and these songs feature none other than Kurt Danielson (Tad) and Dan Peters (Mudhoney). This split was released in 1998 on Man's Ruin Records.

1. Venus in Red (VALIS)

2. You Disturb Me (VALIS)

3. Rendering Machine (VALIS)

4. The Borders of Solitude (VALIS)

5. Friday's Done (Kitty Kitty)

6. The Kids Are Upset (Kitty Kitty)

7. Ab Tokeless (Kitty Kitty)

8. Chunks (Kitty Kitty)

DL: "Valis / Kitty Kitty Split"

Split: The Sword / Witchcraft

Here is a split from two 70's metal-worshipping groups who each offer up very different expressions of their adoration. First up are 2 tracks by the Sword who offer up a more modern metal take on their Sabbath emulation (and includes an interesting cover of "Immigrant Song"), while the 3 finishing tracks by Witchcraft could have easily stood beside Pentagram and Black Sabbath in the 70s.

1. Sea of Spears (The Sword)

2. Immigrant Song (The Sword)

3. You Bury Your Head (Witchcraft)

4. Queen of Bees (Witchcraft)

5. Sorrow Evoker (Witchcraft)

DL: "The Sword/Witchcraft Split"

Split: Om / Six Organs of Admittance

Since there seems to be a roll of awesome splits around here lately, here is a split single done by Om with Six Organs of Admittance. Two tracks. Both tracks are psychedelic, meditative, and fuzzed out. The Om track starts this split off with a rocking, tribally heavy track called "Bedouin's Vigil", and the Six Organs of Admittance track, "Assyrian Blood" proves to be a slow, fuzzy, droney finisher. All in all this is a really well done single from a couple of great bands.

1. Bedouin's Vigil (Om)

2. Assyrian Blood (Six Organs of Admittance)

DL: "Om / Six Organs Split"

Split: Graves At Sea / Asunder

I always felt that the material I had heard from Graves At Sea was never that special, and kind of uninspired. But whatever the problem was, they took care of it here on what ended up being their last recorded output. They're certainly not breaking any boundaries, yet these two songs are just so well done that I can't help but groove along. The vocals actually end up being one of the highlights for me, as they're satisfyingly evil and tormented. There's also a few legitimately awesome riffs in "Pariah" which stand out quite a bit. If you like the sound of Burning Witch meets Eyehategod or something along those lines, look no further. Crushing and evil doom.

On the flip side, Asunder offer up what I think is one of the more menacing songs they've done. It plods along at the pace of a funeral march, as riffs and melodies rise and fall slowly (over the song's 20 minute span), while progressing onwards to the next idea. The band always displays some incredible songwriting. And although I described this as menacing, there's of course a heavy dose of mournfulness and sorrow. This is some seriously heavy and gloomy stuff that I can never reccomend enough.

Graves At Sea:
1.Pariah
2.Reclamation
Asunder:
1.Whited Sepulcher

LP still available from 20BuckSpin and CD from lifeisabuse.

DL: "Graves At Sea/Asunder"

Split EP: Electric Wizard / Reverend Bizarre

Here is a crushingly evil split done by Electric Wizard and fellow heavy music masters Reverend Bizarre. The Electric Wizard track, in true form, is fuzzed out, riff heavy trip and the Reverend Bizarre track is an incredible interpretation of the Beherit track "The Gate of Nanna". I have read a few reviews of this split where the praise is focused on the Electric Wizard track but I would just like to point out how great and the Reverend Bizarre one is. I'm obsessed with this cover and spun it on repeat for hours when I first recieved this EP.

1. The House on the Borderland (Electric Wizard)

2. The Gate of Nanna (Reverend Bizarre)

DL: "EWiz/Reverend Bizarre Split

Split EP: Electric Horsemen / Count Von Count

A little while ago I posted the monstrous self titled Electric Horsemen EP and I really can't say why I haven't posted this one until now. This is a split between Electric Horsemen and fellow sludge giants Count Von Count - this EP plows through 4 rippingly painful tracks and matter what you fancy when it comes to sludge this EP is sure to satisfy, with Count Von Count serving up a painstaking, noisy, psychedelic take on the genre and Electric Horsemen tackling some really low-end, rippingly miserable, Crowbar-esque tracks. I honestly don't understand why this hasn't recieved more credit from the heavy music community becuase it's an amazing split that will bury you alive in sludge and leave you gasping for air. (Clearly I mean this as a good thing.)

1. Pharmboss (Count Von Count)

2. Prairie Witch (Electric Horsemen)

3. David Lynch Vs. M Night Shaymalan (Count Von Count)

4. End of Age (Electric Horsemen

DL: "Electric Horsemen/Count Von Count Split"

Split: Reverend Bizarre / Mannhai - "Under the Sign of the Wolf"

Here's a split from Reverend Bizarre and Mannhai titled "Under the Sign of the Wolf", in which each band covers a Pentagram song. There's nothing much else to say about this one other than this is two crushing bands doing awesome covers from an absolutely legendary and great band. All in all I feel that this is pretty much self explanatory. (Also, apparantly I'm not big with the words tonight since I can't bring myself to go off on a tangent as usual.) So... there you have it. DOOM!

1. Broken Vows (Reverend Bizarre)

2. Forever My Queen (Mannhai)

DL: "Under the Sign of the Wolf Split"

Split: The Hidden Hand / Wooly Mammoth - "Night Letters"

Wooly Mammoth are newcomers to the heavy rock scene compared to (yet another project of Wino) the Hidden Hand, but these two bands go head to head in this split with 4 ragingly catchy songs. The Hidden Hand tracks contain some typical Wino style riffing with a bit more of a jazzy psychedelic edge, and the Wooly Mammoth tracks don't stray much from the trail blazed by the Hidden Hand as they finish the split off with a couple of insanely well done heavy rock songs. All in all this split is toe tappingly heavy and fuzzed out with a mystical touch of psychedelia.

1. Five Points (The Hidden Hand)

2. Welcome to Sunshine (The Hidden Hand)

3. The Prophet (Wooly Mammoth)

4. Mastercut + Charisma (Wooly Mammoth)

DL: "Night Letters"

Split: Queens of the Stone Age/Beaver - The Split CD

released 1998

it is what it is

but in case you're not familiar with beaver (not that way..perv)...let's just say they're queens of the stone age...but from amsterdam

when this was pressed...the beaver songs (now that's an album i'd buy) were in reverse order...but me being the nice person i am...just went ahead and fixed that for you

you get 2 songs from each band

DL: the split cd

Split: Grand Magus / Spiritual Beggars

It seems I haven't made a post here in a couple of days but it's mostly becuase my musical exploration has been pretty limited as of late. (what I've been listening to basically consists only of Grand Magus and the previously posted Egypt demo). On that note, here's a cool Grand Magus / Spiritual Beggars split that was released on Southern Lord shortly before Grand Magus released their first album! All in all this is a pretty cool, rockin' split single although I'm not really sure how to feel about the Spiritual Beggars... It's kind of a mix of like/dislike/awe that that guy from Arch Enemy is also in a band with JB Christoffersson. JB's work with Grand Magus is obviously a lot cooler but this split actually highlights a strong side of Spiritual Beggars and a weaker side of Grand Magus. (Go figure.)

1. It's Over (Spiritual Beggars)

2. Twilight Train (Grand Magus)

DL: "Spiritual Beggars/Grand Magus Split"

Split: Earthless / Witch

On my way home today I was thinking about how surprisingly awesome the Volcom vinyl club is (yeah... the things I think about on a daily basis....) and what a pleasant surprise it is that they put out singles from the likes of Kandi Coded and Harvey Milk. They've put out a bunch of cool splits and since I couldn't stop at just thinking about it i'm now prompted to post this split single from Earthless and Witch. These are two psychedelic, heavy riffing bands from Tee Pee records that are so perfectly suited for a split together that if this didn't exist you would probably wonder why they didn't have one. Like most well done psychedelia these songs are cosmically dizzying and will go to your head faster than that beer your dad gave you when you were 14. Enjoy!

1. Can't Help Doin' Wrong (Witch)

2. Jull (Earthless)

DL: "Earthless / Witch Split Single"

Split: Nirvana/Melvins

released 1991

this is 7" of nirvana and the melvins covering songs by the velvet undergound

nirvana tackles "here she comes now"
the melvins tackle "venus in furs"

DL: nirvana/melvins split

Split: The Mystick Krewe Of Clearlight / The Obsessed

Here's something awesome and kind of fun for this Saturday evening - a split single with the Obsessed and Mystick Krewe of Clearlight in which both bands cover Lynyrd Skynyrd tracks. For those who aren't familiar with the Mystick Krewe of Clearlight they're basically a supergroup containing members of Down, Eyehategod and Crowbar, but despite the sludged out members they play some really jammed out, psychedelic rock n roll. And the Obsessed is, well... I won't insult your intelligence by going into that one. (Although I guess I could be really insulting and start explaining who Lynyrd Skynyrd are.)

1. Cheatin' Woman - Mystick Krewe of Clearlight

2. On the Hunt - The Obsessed

DL: "MKoC / The Obsessed Split"

Split: Sons of Otis / Queen Elephantine

I'm sure everybody knows of the crushing and spacey Sons of Otis - well here's their split with Queen Elephantine, a younger, lesser known group of a similar musical branch. The first two tracks on this split are by Sons of Otis and plod and drone through a thick wall of sludge and sonic psychedelia, and the Queen Elephantine track is a tribally heavy, epic finish to this other worldly experience. All in all this split is apocalyptic, chillingly psychedelic and crushingly medatative... a perfect soundtrack to make this depressing and chilling month called February even more depressing and chilling.

1. Tales of Otis (Sons of Otis)

2. Oxazjam (Sons of Otis)

3. The Battle of Massacoit / The Weapon of the King of Gods (Queen Elephantine)

DL: "Sons of Otis / Queen Elephantine Split"

On another note I'm finishing up a couple of features for the near future that are worth getting stoked about so stay tuned.... and if you like what you're reading do me a favor and follow this blog! (I like being followed.) Thats all for now. Enjoy this.

Split: Screaming Trees / Beat Happening

If you haven't heard this split, the Screaming Trees and Beat Happening play these songs together and it sounds awesome. These are two bands that one wouldn't usually associate too closely (other than the whole late 80s/90s Sub Pop thing) but they actually share a lot of the same influences and find a unique style as they come together in this split. There's something that strikes a perfect balance with both band's styles here - the tin-can drums, steadiness and childish qualities of Beat Happening melding with the psychedelic guitars and keyboards of the Screaming Trees. This was released in 1988. Listen and enjoy!

1. Sea Babies

2. Tales of Brave Aphrodite

3. Polly Perrequin
4. I Dig You

DL: "Screaming Trees/Beat Happening split EP"

Split: Brothers of the Sonic Cloth/Mico De Noche

Do you like heavy, sludgy, muddy, crushing music? Well, as promised, here's the recent Brothers of the Sonic Cloth split with Mico De Noche. This is heavy as hell and was only released on 10" vinyl format - needless to say it is very limited edition. The track "Fires Burn Dim In The Shadow of the Mountain" is a 12 minute crushingly satisfying, sludgy epic and the Mico De Niche tracks are just as deliciously heavy. I'm thrilled to have possession of this on MP3 format as this is one of the greatest doom related (or actually any genre) releases I've heard in quite some time so now you can enjoy it as well.. and enjoy you shall.

1. Fires Burn Dim In the Shadow of the Mountain (BOTSC)

2. Misanthrope (Mico De Noche)
3. Ganges (Mico De Noche)

DL: "BOTSC/Mico De Noche Split"

Split: High On Fire/Ruins

released 2005

high on fire...you already know what they are and what they do

ruins...they were a japanese duo that played something akin to bands like godheadsilo and lightning bolt (i say "were" because bassist sasaki hisashi left back in 2004...and drummer/vocalist tatsuya yoshida is currently touring under the moniker of ruins alone)

not only do you get the jams...you also get a comic to go along with everything

all in all...it's a pretty sweet way to spend a few minutes

DL: high on fire/ruins split

and now...i'm gonna provide you with some visual evidence on just how awesome drummer tatsuya yoshida is (what can i say...i'm a giver...just ask anyone down at the free clinic)