Nazi Prog Drone Proto Metal...Who'd Have Thunk It?

Okay. This very odd record from Germany's own German Oak has developed quite a buzz recently, so let's try to get things in focus here. Far as I know, this was recorded in 1972 in an underground air raid shelter, the band claiming no small part of involvement from the ghostly occupants of that tragic locale. The album was issued in a pressing of 213 through an unnamed label, and only sold 9 of those, the 202 balance ending up in the basement of one of the label's owners. Some sources tell us that the label name was Witch & Warlock, but that seems to be the label that issued a 1991 reissue. Musically it sounds like a power trio trying to make ambient doom two decades before anyone else had even thought of it. The sound, cavernous and echoing, actually works for this sort of odd project, and some of the moods are undeniably sinister. "Down In The Bunker" is a real monster, a slowly unfolding, crawling and slithering beast that sounds like Ash Ra Tempel's Amboss album as performed in slow motion. "Raid" is more uptempo and focused, visiting the same riffs and sections over it's length. Again, it's damn cool, and the windy, moss covered sound actually seems to help, rather than hurt matters.


Some listeners, myself included, seem to have purchased or downloaded a version with four extra tracks, all of which are a nice addition to the original package and follow in the same vein as the original four cuts. It's perhaps impossible to say what original vinyl copies are worth, and your estimation of this album's artistic worth will depend on how much you like kraut ambient doom stoner rock. And since that genre does not exist outside of this record, you've just got to hear it to know if it'll touch you or not. I really like it, but I can only speak for myself. And by the way, the second album is a disjointed, noisy mess compared to this. It tries to have continuity (replacing Norse mythology with World War II) but lacks this album's atmosphere, conviction and alchemy.

Drummer? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Drummer!

Somewhere back in my tortured brain, I remember reading a review of this very early, very primitive German death metal "band." You see, Slaughterhammer had no drummer or bass player...just two guys with guitars, one with an evil croak of a voice and the first couple Sodom demos for inspiration. And despite reading about the band in Blackthorn or Raging Death magazine (probably...it's a long fuckin' time ago) I didn't order the tape, but recently stumbled across a downoad of it. The fact is that for 1986, this is bewilderingly brutal, with pummeling riffs and mega-guttural vocals. Who knows? If these guys had been able to find what they needed to be complete...like a drummer and bass player...they might have been another death metal legend ala Sarcofago or Vulcano, two bands who sound most alike these twisted krauts. Production, or lack of same, is pretty bad, but I do feel there was untapped genius on hand here. It's a true freaks/archivists only sort of affair, but interesting all the same, and another sharp stick in the eye to those who hold the belief that death metal suddenly beamed down to this planet in 1989. Sorry kids, in all it's disgusting glory, it was here some time before that.  I guess it speaks to the band's passion that not even the lack of a complete lineup was going to keep them from cranking out the extremity, but said passion sadly doesn't make this tape sound any better. Note: the band would evolve into Bloodslaughter and release one demo as well, this time with a drummer...but no bass player. Odd when you consider how many extreme metal musicians came out of Germany around this time.

This Needs To Be Said...Don't Fuck With Whatley

The Nostalgia Critic Remembers It So You Don't Have To

As with the wonderful work of The Cinema Snob, I'd like to recommend anyone with a hankering for more movie related hilarity head over to http://www.thatguywiththeglasses.com/. It's not only the home of the generally hilarious Nostalgia Critic, but also plenty of other movei/video game related fun. My personal faves on the site are the Bum reviews (watch the Twilight reviews...hilarious), the Dudette and Spoony. And it wouldn't kill you to watch the movie the site worked together to make, the epic that is "Kickassia." Get on over there if you know what's good for you.