This is the latest release from one of my favorite current, newer solo black metal projects, this one led by Jon Krieger (aka Sgah’gahsowah) of the Adirondack Mountain region in upstate New York. These are 2 songs from the sessions from last year’s III that were left off the album, as well as an acoustic, instrumental version of “Barefoot Ghost Dance on Blood-Soaked Soil.” As one might infer from that song title, the themes of this project are centered on Native American history, culture, and, of course, sadly, the attempted eradication of both over hundreds of years. Along with said closing instrumental, side 2 kicks off with “Celestial Bloodlust,” perhaps my favorite song in Blackbraid‘s entire catalog. It’s inexplicable that it was left off III, but here it was a real chance to shine and stand out. The title track is good and growing on me, but side 2 is really where it’s at here. And it’s cool that this is a 10”. You don’t see too many of these in this genre (I still want to pick up that Suffering Hour 10” from last year, but I digress), and it reminds me of all the punk and hardcore records pressed on this format back in the ’90s (again, I digress).
