Wizard Tattoo from Indianapolis have been putting out records since 2022, prior releases including 2022’s S/T EP, 2023’s Fables of the Damned debut full-length, and 2024’s Living Just for Dying and One of these Knives EPs. There’s also the Living Just for Knife Fighting compilation, which compiles the aforementioned 2024 EPs and is worth picking up for the bonus covers of Motörhead, Danzig, and Helmet alone.
Rapidly Aging is a new post-project of Shalor Howell, the guitarist for Atlanta sludge metal band Canopy. If you are not familiar with the band, it’s not a requirement to enjoy this album, but they are certainly a recommended listen if you are into sludge. You’re Not Yourself Lately (Fig On Wrist) is an instrumental album that creates a narrative voice by using samples from the 1974 film “The Man Who Sleeps.” Howell has excelled at capturing great guitar tones that ooze with a depth of feeling. This succeeds in making the emotional connection that vocals normally would in your average rock band scenario. There is pedal steel guitar layered over the song “Fleeting Moment,” adding more sonic texture to the picture the guitars are painting in your ears.
There’s something really special about ArcTanGent Festival. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, but as you approach the stages, you’re pulled into a world of heavy riffs, immersive soundscapes and music so inventive that, at times, you can’t quite believe it exists at all.