We now come to Part 23 of our list of 2014′s Most Infectious Extreme Metal Songs. For more details about what this list is all about and how it was compiled, read the introductory post via this link. For the other songs we’ve previously named to the list, go here.
In most of the installments of this list, I’ve tried to pair songs together that have something in common. Not today. Not only are these two songs unlike each other, they’re both unlike anything else I’ve selected for this list so far. But they’re both damned infectious, so there’s that.
TREPALIUM
When I first saw and heard Trepalium’s video for a single named “Moonshine Limbo” off their 2014 EP Voodoo Moonshine, I got the biggest grin on my face. It still makes me smile — and want to jump! — even when I’m in the midst of a truly shitty day.
Not only did the band drive their “boogie death metal” sound straight into swing jazz territory, they backed it to the hilt with a brass section, which gives the song a big-band sound. It’s got one foot in the 30s and one foot in the present day, and a couple more feet straddling the line between swing and groovy metal, with harsh vox on top of the whole hybridized, multi-legged thing.
The video (masterfully directed by Benjamin Cappelletti) is also as much fun to watch as the song is to hear. Highly infectious, and not like anything else I heard last year. Vive La France!
https://www.facebook.com/TREPALIUMBAND
TENGGER CAVALRY
I’ve made no secret of my affection for this Chinese band and their brand of Mongolian folk metal, and it’s pretty clear that many of our readers are fans, too. So, to be brutally honest, it was a foregone conclusion that something from their 2014 album Ancient Call was going to be on this list (just like a song from The Expedition was on last year’s list). The hard part was — which song? Because writing super-catchy songs that gallop is what this band does best.
“Galloping Towards the Great Land”? “Brave”? “Summon the Warrior”? One of our readers suggested I’d be fine if I just threw a dart at the album’s first four tracks.
But making hard choices is why I get paid the big money. So I drew lots. And this is the one that came out of the hat.
(P.S. Best YouTube comment on one of this band’s songs: “This makes me want to pillage China.”)
https://www.facebook.com/tengger0cavalry
http://tenggercavalry.bandcamp.com/album/ancient-call-3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SwcIMHWStg
Scat growling needs to become a phenomenon.
I’ll second that.
Damn yes! Good to see Moonshine Limbo made the cut.
“Moonshine Limbo” is such a crazy fun track 🙂
great infectiousness here for both bands.
Trepalium sounds like Trollfest, well, a little bit..
the Chinese band is awesome; still, those are definately Mesopotamian/Turkish/Indian melodies, not Chinese.. i’ve been there for 2 years, only the “string” sounds Chinese.