1. Banshee- Volume 1, Self Released(Fucking Black Metal). I love my Black Metal. I love my raw, hate filled Black Metal. In a world of music where the worse production value means the bigger audience, a few bands really stand out. Ildjarn, Ancestors, Bone Awl to name a few. Banshee doesn't sound like any of these. Banshee is the solo project of Patrick Valentine, which will imply a much nicer sound then the black vomit that spews forth from this release. Hailing for the desolate plains of New Mexico, Banshee attacks your ears with 9 tracks clocking in at just over 50 minutes. The first track is a Prologue tracks, which fades in with a guitar that plays an ominous tune. The guitar is then matched with piano, the perfect intro for the venom about to commence. The song fades out and turns into Chapter I, a 10 minute sonic destruction of the senses. The vocals sometimes are distant, almost being drowned out by the fuzz and drums, which I believe to be real. The first thing you immediately notice about this release is the layers of guitar, one is playing the main tune, while the other guitar may provide a simple melody over it. The vocals are tortured and dying, and some of the best I have heard thus far. Chapter II is my favorite, starting with some tribal drums, which fade into heavy guitar and lots of distortion, and...wait.. what is that...BASS. That is right, this is one of those rare fuzzed out Black Metal releases where you can actually hear the bass. This song calms down for a gorgeous clean guitar interlude, which then explodes into a fucking cry of death. Each of the songs is incredibly strong, and each one epic in its own right. Tribal drums, which go off beat from time to time, providing perfect rhythm. This is an EXTREMELY strong debut release from this USBM horde and one that is a must have. Banshee has an upcoming release with Funeral Doom band Scrolls of Lamentation, but do now what for that. Ltd to 100 copies so get yours fastBANSHEE can be contacted here
http://www.myspace.com/thetruebanshee
