Swansea’s doom-tinged black metal outfit Ghast bring an appropriately ominous air to the evening’s proceedings, and their utterly engaging mix of Darkthrone meets hypnotic Blut Aus Nord speed and moments of ‘Monotheist’ Celtic Frost and Burning Witch’s twisted doom is completely mesmerising from start to finish. Like a grotesque demon that’s clawed it’s way up from the bowels of hell, its huge form blocking all light and leaving you no choice but to stare in fear and awe at its hideous and commanding visage. Band of the night by a large margin, and proof if ever needed that you really don’t need to go very far (Wales in this case) to find utterly essential UKBM.

These songs of note, plucked from my listening habits over the past few months, have all become real gems in my cd player. There’s no Warning on this, because Kz put one on his.

1. Kill – Deathmessiah
   I picked this CD up on a Whim, whilst visiting Mr Nova UTDS and it fills a foul little gap that needed filling. My favourite thing here is the bass drum sound, which sounds like flak in the distance. Actually, it is the best bass drum production I have ever heard. (liable to change.)
2. Drudkh – Ars Poetica
   This is from the latest Album and leaps out to me. The chords are unique, just wish the drums sounded better.
3. Reverend Bizarre – Dark Sorceress (Barathrum Cover)
   Lots and lots and lots is what I listen to this. In many ways I prefer it to the original, which was already a very cool song. Here, it is less evil and more anecdotal and this suits, as it is a bit of a poem.
4. The Smiths – This Night Has Opened My Eyes
   I used to hate The Smiths, but then, whilst watching ‘Caterrick’, I found that I no longer hated Morrisey’s voice. So a few months later I went and bought a few Smiths albums; this is the song that I like most.
5. Mystifier – Aleister Crowley & Ordo Templi Orientis
   Again, a fairly new band on me, but this really stands out. This has made me reconsider song-structure and the part where he says ‘Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-listeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrr crouwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww-leeeee…..in-orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-do-teeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-mpli-orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-ieiiiint’ is actual magic, really happening.
6. Fairport Convention – The Deserter
   Another folkie, I was having a lot of trouble and burnt out two cigs choosing between this and ‘Crazy Man Michael’, but this wins in the end because and I‘m putting it down to mood. P.s. Never trust comrades or your sweetheart, because they will sell you out to the first bidder. Place your trust instead in the highest bidder, Prince Albert, who it turns out is alright.
7. Striborg – With Animosity I Bequeath Thee
   It’s raining it’s pouring Striborg is fucking great, lots of people say the opposite and I can see why one might disapprove of absolutely ridiculous amounts of delay and fuzz, but it is these two things which makes the sound so alien. Cracking drumming here, reminds me of fenriz on Goatlord. Turn up the fucking verb I can‘t hear it!!
8. Charlotte Greig & Johan Asherton – Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom
   Taken from the ‘John Barleycorn Reborn: Dark Britannica’ compilation, picked up when I was on a folk rampage. This track is very soothing and understated and features a nice, simple guitar progression. The aforementioned compilation is well worth picking up , being both very diverse and excellent value.
9. Manilla Road – Dreams of Eschaton/Epilogue
   This is the appropriate finale. If I could drive and then if I bought a car, I would play this when the wheels went round.

Direct link to this Podcast.

New song uploaded, ‘Human Clockwork’. A dark brooding track with a big finish. Listen to it.
Pure Hateful Abandon.
V/Martin

If you have been following the band for a while you should recognise the second-half riff from an early recording, Devil Meat, which was posted on the official website for a while although never released.

Visit the Hateful Abandon myspace page now to listen to Human Clockwork and get an idea how the material is progressing for the next album!

LYRICS

White knuckle tension
Falling in time with heartbeats
Exposed flesh, burning pulse
Racing iris, back and forth

Jaw clench, tendon snap
Rotten harvest
Bleak teardrop, clay heart
Blood struggles, man-made vein

I can’t force what isn’t there
I can’t pretend any more

Any more.

…. UPDATE FROM THE COMPOUND… During this year we’ve been recording new tracks for the next H.A album. Originally we wanted to get it out this year but as everyone knows every year that goes past, go past like a fuckin hell-bullet train.. SHIT! Anyway the songs we have, the completed ones, are much darker than previous, and all songs will continue that way… probably. Most importantly we’re gonna spend more time on production this time, and because of this a finish date is yet to even be considered. The last album smokes and i’m CRAZILY happy to have hooked up with the big ‘V/M’ (STALKER MAN)for this stuff. BUT….. We record Digital style… its what we have and what we can afford. If it were my way we would have a whole analog studio up and running and do it the old way. So this is the goal for the next album. As many sounds as possible are gonna be created without any computer involvement. Its the only way forth. But it’ll take time…. Stop the blag, hit the sounds….. THE NEW H.A A.S.A.P Swine

click for larger image

Flyer for the Salute / Ghast gig this coming Tuesday at The Croft, Bristol. designed by Luke Oram.