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Dreams of Consciousness Podcast Episode 238 features an interview with Lewis Fischer of Altars. Altars is a name to remember for anyone who likes their death metal forward-thinking as well as brutal. The Australian trio's turbulent, chimaeric style builds on classic death metal whilst taking their music into experimental and exploratory directions. I spoke with guitarist Lewis Fischer about inventing his own musical language for Altars, and why the band went quiet after their 2013 debut Paramnesia. We also talked about the circumstances that led Lewis to write material for the new Altars album, Ascetic Reflection, and how Brendan Sloan from Convulsing became a full-time member of the band. My thanks to Lewis for speaking with me, and to all of you for listening. Music In This Episode: "Husk" "Khaz'neh" taken from the album Paramnesia "Anhedonia" "Ascetic Reflection" "Luminous Jar" taken from the album Ascetic Reflection Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com

Righteous Fool • Behold! The Monolith • The Swell Fellas • Valley Of The Sun • Greyborn • Cities of Mars • Lord Elephant • Electric Mountain • Kyuss • Mother Iron Horse • The Sword • Ian Blurton's Future Now Righteous Fool: "FOREVER FLAMES" taken from the album "Righteous Fool" Behold! The Monolith: "Spirit Taker" taken from the album "From The Fathomless Deep" The Swell Fellas: "Wet Cement" taken from the album "Novaturia" Valley Of The Sun: "Devil I've Become" taken from the album "The Chariot" Greyborn: "After Dark" taken from the album "Leeches" Cities of Mars: "Towering Graves (Osmos)" taken from the album "Cities of Mars" Cosmic Reaper: "Heaven's Gate" taken from the album "Cosmic Reaper" Kyuss: "Demon Cleaner" taken from the album "Welcome to Sky Valley" Fostermother: "Dark Desires" taken from the album "The Ocean" Mother Iron Horse: "Samhain Night" taken from the album "Under The Black Moon" Lord Elephant: "Raktabija" taken from the album "Cosmic Awakening" The Sword: "How Heavy this Axe" taken from the album "Gods of the Earth" Ian Blurton's Future Now: "Second Skin" taken from the album "Second Skin"

Dreams of Consciousness Podcast Episode 237 features an interview with Rick Habeeb, William “Big Will” Smith, and Terrell Grannum of Reeking Aura. Comprised of several names familiar to this site (including members of Buckshot Facelift, Grey Skies Fallen, Thaetas, and Artificial Brain), it shouldn't be a surprise to hear NYC's Reeking Aura on the podcast. But their blend of early Nineties death metal is a natural fit for DoC, and would have got them an invitation to speak about their music even if they weren't guys I've known for years. I spoke with vocalist William “Big Will” Smith, and guitarists Rick Habeeb and Terrell Grannum about why a hiatus for Buckshot Facelift led to Reeking Aura, and how the band makes use of their three guitarists. We also discussed how the addition of drummer Sam Shereck led to the evolution between the first Reeking Aura EP and their debut full-length Blood And Bonemeal, as well as why working with Profound Lore Records and Colin Marston was a natural choice for the band. My thanks to Terrell, Rick, and Will for speaking with me, and to all of you for listening. Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com

Earth • The Shenandoah Electric Company • Orthodox • Stiu Nu Stiu • BongBongBeerWizards • Korperschwache • Lathe • Birth • Slow Burning Rage • The Goddamn Rattlesnake Earth: "The Dire And Ever Circling Wolves" taken from the album "Hex; Or Printing In The Infernal Method" The Shenandoah Electric Company: "Pillar Of Salt" taken from the album "LP1" Orthodox: "Abendrot" taken from the album "Proceed" Stiu Nu Stiu: "Nyx" taken from the album "New Sun" BongBongBeerWizards: "Slumber" taken from the album "Ampire" Korperschwache: "breathing down deep the smoke of paradise" taken from the album "Ignore the Need" Lathe: "Journey to the East" taken from the album "Tongue Of Silver " Birth: "Another Time" taken from the album "Born" Slow Burning Rage: "El Tio (Curse of the Caves)" taken from the album "Slow Burning Rage" The Goddamn Rattlesnake: "Where Will This Ship Go To Die" taken from the album "Stay Sweet" Andy Daly (as Dalton Wilcox, Poet Laureate of the West): "The Lonesome Cowboy" taken from Comedy Bang Bang #148

Dreams of Consciousness Podcast Episode 236 features an interview with Paul Ryan of Origin. Origin should be pretty familiar to followers of Dreams of Consciousnes by now. The band has been written about ad nauseum on this site, and was the featured guest on the 100th episode of the podcast. Safe to say, I'm a fan. Guitarist/founder Paul Ryan caught me up with what the band has been up to since the last time he was on the podcast, and why he wants the flow of Origin's to be like movies. We also discussed the "one song a month" writing challenge that he gave himself to create the latest Origin album, Chaosmos, and why the band doesn't know what their albums will sound like until the recording process is done. My thanks to Paul for speaking with me, and to all of you for listening. Music In This Episode: "Dajjal" "Cascading Failures" taken from the album Unparalleled Universe "Decolonizer" "Panoptical" "Cullscape" taken from the album Chaosmos Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com

Backslider • Herida Profunda • Severe Torture • Gorged Afterbirth • Birdflesh • Foes • Psychoneurosis • Matsunaga Was Right • Crisis Benoit • Wageslave • Holocausto Canibal • Gronibard • Black Rheno • Come Mierda • Skaven • Hive • Napoli Violenta • Rejekts • Balance of Terror • Skumstrike • Unidad Trauma • Antigama • Apes • Wormrot • Crawler • Bodyrot • Organ Trail Backslider: "Bone Thief" taken from the album "Psychic Rot" HERIDA PROFUNDA: "DIRTY HANDS" taken from the album "POWER TO THE PEOPLE" Severe Torture: "Entangled In Hate" taken from the album "Fisting the Sockets" Gorged Afterbirth: "Puking Up Dead Nuns" taken from the album "Got Gore?" Birdflesh: "Dying After Midnight" taken from the album "All The Miseries" Foes: "Dog Catcher" taken from the Foes/Heated split EP Psychoneurosis: "Turn Off TV - Turn On Thinking" taken from the album "Grind Resurrection" Matsunaga Was Right: "Once In A Lifetime, For A Second Time" taken from the album "Born In Wire" Crisis Benoit: "Raging Bulldozer" taken from the album "El Culto De La Muerte" Wageslave: "Vestige" taken from the EP "Wageslave" Holocausto Canibal: "Sinaxe do Sepúlcro Tafófobo" taken from the album "Crueza Ferina" GRONIBARD: "Individual Thought Pâté" taken from the album "Regarde Les Hommes Sucer" Black Rheno: "Empire" taken from the Child Bite / Black Rheno split EP Come Mierda: "Warzone" taken from the 2021 Demo Skaven: "Flowers Of Flesh And Blood" taken from the album "Flowers Of Flesh And Blood" Hive: "Protection" taken from the album "Spiritual Poverty" Napoli Violenta: "No Woman No Grind" taken from the album "Neapolitan Power Violence" Rejekts: "Divorati Dal Tempo" taken from the album "Adamo" Balance of Terror: "A Better Tomorrow" taken from the album "A Better Tomorrow" Skumstrike: "Panic Obsession" taken from the album "Deadly Intrusions" Unidad Trauma: "Pacientes De..." taken from the album "Arte Médica Siniestra " Antigama: "Unclear Conversions" taken from the album "Whiteout" Apes: "No Will To Live" taken from the album "Lullabies For Eternal Sleep" Wormrot: "Fucking Fierce So What" taken from the album "Dirge" Crawler: "Cold Moldy Bones" taken from the album "Womb" Bodyrot: "Obsidian Blade" taken from the album "Fleshworks" Organ Trail: "Get Of My Fucking Lawn" taken from the album "Appetite For Dissection"

Dreams of Consciousness Podcast Episode 235 features an interview with Rob LaChance of Wake. Canadian grinders Wake have gone through a metamorphosis over the course of their release history. From the short, crusty ragers that defined their early albums, the band has broadened their scope to include shoegazing atmospheres and black metal dissonance, without neglecting the speed that defined their early sound. I spoke with guitarist Rob LaChance about when the band is happy with a song, and why they don't want to be "a re-run machine". We also talked about how derailed touring plans led to their recent releases, and why developing as musicians and songwriters caused their latest album, Thought Form Descent, to be their most experimental. My thanks to Rob for speaking with me, and to all of you for listening. Music In This Episode: "In the Lair of the Rat Kings" "Kana Tevoro (Kania! Kania!)" taken from the album Devouring Ruin "Infinite Inward" "Swallow the Light" taken from the album Thought Form Descent Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com

Feralia • Haunter • Mortal Thrall • Inexorum • Predatory Light • Bedsore • Gaahls WYRD • svrm • Axis of Light • IATT Feralia: "MARCIA FUNESTA" taken from the album "Under Stige" Haunter: "Spiritual Illness" taken from the album "Disincarnate Ails" Mortal Thrall: "Passion Made A Weapon" taken from the album "A Path To Fire" Inexorum: "Until There's Nothing Left" taken from the album "Equinox Vigil" Predatory Light: "Wracked by Sacred Fires" taken from the album "Death And The Twilight Hours" Bedsore: "Shapes From Beyond The Veil Of Stars And Space" taken from the Bedsore/Mortal Incarnation split Gaahls WYRD: "The Humming Mountain" taken from the album "The Humming Mountain" svrm: "Carceri" taken from the album "Червів майбутня здобич" Axis of Light: "Stone Hooves" taken from the album "Axis of Light" IATT: "Seven Wandering Stars" taken from the album "Magnum Opus"

Dreams of Consciousness Podcast Episode 234 features an interview with Paul "Decaylust" Lang of Denouncement Pyre. Denouncement Pyre is the sound of burning dedication. Emerging from Melbourne as a number of more prominent bands had broken up or moved overseas, the band endured a shifting roster to emerge as one of the fiercest bands in Australia's metal underground. I spoke with Denouncement Pyre founder/vocalist/guitarist Paul "Decaylust" Lang about how his band fits into the Australian death/black/war metal sound, and why it was always more than just a hobby for him. We also spoke about how a new line-up and more collaborative songwriting process shaped their latest album Forever Burning, and what the band has left to accomplish. My thanks to Paul for speaking with me, and to all of you for listening. Music In This Episode: "Almighty Arcanum" taken from the album Almighty Arcanum "Hung Like Swine" "Tongues Stretched for Salvation" taken from the album Forever Burning "Witness" taken from the album Black Sun Unbound Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com

Neu! • Joy Division • Sol Invictus • Sonic Youth • Robert Rental • Killing Joke • Live Skull • Glenn Branca • Jarboe • Swans • Loop • Faust • Blind Idiot God Neu!: "E-Musik" taken from the album "Neu! '75" Joy Division: "Shadowplay" taken from the album "Unknown Pleasures" Sol Invictus: "Summer Ends" taken from the album "Sol Veritas Lux" Sonic Youth: "Star Power" taken from the album "Evol" Robert Rental: "On Location" taken from the "Double Heart" 7" Killing Joke: "Complications" taken from the album "Killing Joke" [1980] Live Skull: "(X) w/ the Light" taken from the album "Dusted" Glenn Branca: "Light Field (In Consonance)" taken from the album "The Ascension" Jarboe: "Caché Toi" taken from the album "Sacrificial Cake" Swans: "Celebrity Lifestyle" taken from the album "The Great Annihilator" Loop: "Pulse" taken from the album "Fade Out" Faust: "Mamie Is Blue" taken from the album "So Far" Blind Idiot God: "Raining Dub" taken from the album "Blind Idiot God" Some thoughts on "No Wave" and its relationship with punk, post-punk, and "alternative": https://bit.ly/3PfSwFZ

Dreams of Consciousness Podcast Episode 233 features an interview with Axioma. Axioma are a study in contrasts. Flowing black/death riffs jut up against jagged noise rock rhythms; just as the listener is acclimating to the band's love of dissonance, the discordance gives way to an expected amount of melody. I spoke with guitarists Cyril Blandino and Justin Meyers, and bassist/vocalist Aaron Dallison about why dynamics are an important part of Axioma's sound, and why a lead vocalist would be a poor fit for the band. We also discussed why their new album Sepsis is more dynamic and complex than anything they've done previously. My thanks to Cyril, Justin, and Aaron for speaking with me, and to all of you for listening. Music In This Episode: "Cult of Moloch" "Sacred Killing Machine" taken from the album Crown "Septic" "The Tower" "Emptiness of Anguish" taken from the album Sepsis Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com

Cartilage • Altars • Writhing Shadows • Putrid Evocation • Blasphemous Creation Cosmic Putrefaction • Harvested • Instigate • Husqwarnah • Void Rot • Mortal Incarnation Cartilage: "Slaughter Day at the Chopping Mall" taken from the album "The Deader The Better" Altars: "Perverse Entity" taken from the album "Ascetic Reflection" Writhing Shadows: "devourment of God's People" taken from the album "Writhing Shadows" Putrid Evocation: "Faceless Shadows" taken from the album "Eternal Gloom: A Void of Agony and Repugnancy " Blasphemous Creation: "Shadows Of Evil" taken from the album "Beyond The Grave" Cosmic Putrefaction: "From Resounding Silence To The Obsidian Womb" taken from the album "Crepuscular Dirge For The Blessed Ones" Harvested: "Bludgeoned" taken from the album "Harvested" Instigate: "Atonement" taken from the album "Unheeded Warnings Of Decay" Husqwarnah: "Screams From The Cellar" taken from the album "Front: Toward Enemy" Void Rot: "Telluric Dismemberment" taken from the album "Telluric Dismemberment" Mortal Incarnation: "In The Perpetual Torment Of Recurrence" taken from the album "Bedsore - Mortal Incarnation split"

Dreams of Consciousness Podcast Episode 232 features an interview with Samuel Smith of Artificial Brain. Artificial Brain belong to a new generation of underground metal band that New York has become known for - one that combines speed, dissonance, melody, and stellar musicianship to create a sound that hearkens back to the classic death metal albums that emerged from the area, whilst simultaneously looking to the future (in both their progressive sensibility and science fiction themes). I spoke with bassist Samuel Smith about the sci-fi concepts that connect Artificial Brain's albums, and his thoughts about their music being labeled "dissonant death metal". We also discussed why their self-titled third album may sound more melodic than previous releases, and what the future holds for Artificial Brain. My thanks to Sam for speaking with me, and to all of you for listening. Music In This Episode: "Labyrinth Constellation" taken from the album Labyrinth Constellation "A Lofty Grave" "Cryogenic Dreamworld" "Insects and Android Eyes" taken from the album Artificial Brain "Magnetic Gravity" taken from the Butchering Cosmic Giants EP Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com

Godflesh • Above & Below • Foetus • Einstürzende Neubauten • Kollaps • MØTIVATIØN • N8NOFACE • KYOTY • ScorpKlub • Gridfailure • Luminous Vault • Depressor • Omnibael • MASTER BOOT RECORD Godflesh: "Pulp" taken from the album "Streetcleaner" Above & Below: "Isolate" taken from the album "Suffer Decay Alone" Foetus: "Friend or Foe" taken from the album "Gash" Einstürzende Neubauten: "Für Den Untergang" taken from the "Für Den Untergang" 7" Kollaps: "I Believe In The Closed Fist" taken from the album "Until The Day I Die" MØTIVATIØN: "Control (Feat. Paul Delaney, Theo Kogan)" taken from the album "The Infinite 8 Steps To Power / Money / More" N8NOFACE: "Pushing the Line" taken from the album "Homicide" KYOTY: "Respite" taken from the album "Isolation" Hifiklub, Scorpion Dagger, Iggor Cavalera, Alain Johannes: "Cliff Diving" taken from the album "ScorpKlub I & II Original Soundtracks" Gridfailure: "Homicide Meditations" taken from the album "Ghoul Bushcraft: Henchpersons Instrumentals II" Luminous Vault: "Earth Daemon" taken from the album "Animate The Emptiness" Depressor: "F.I.L.T.H." taken from the "Depressor 1995" demo Omnibael: "Flowing Backwards" taken from the album "Rain Soaks The Earth Where They Lie" MASTER BOOT RECORD: "PERSONAL COMPUTER" taken from the album "MASTER BOOT RECORD"

Dreams of Consciousness Podcast Episode 231 features an interview with Jaleel Castillo and Matti Güey of Rottenness. Rottenness have been around in some form for almost 30 years. Originally based in Mexico, the band's current line-up includes members of various Midwestern death metal and grindcore acts, including Formless Master, Gorgotron, and Invidiosus. What hasn't changed is the band's commitment to brutal, unrelenting music. I spoke with guitarist/founder Jaleel Castillo and vocalist Matti Güey about how the band's current line-up coalesced into its present form, and why there are no rules for Rottenness other than "death metal". We also discussed how their latest album Violentopia was written and recorded with the band members spread across various cities, and what's left on Jaleel's bucket list. My thanks to Jaleel and Matti Güey for speaking with me, and to all of you for listening. Music In This Episode: "Fistfuck" taken from the album Die Wege Der Lust "Violentopia" "Bitchmade at Birth" taken from the album Violentopia "Embodiment of an Impulse and Excess" taken from the Dead Root/Rottenness Split Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com

Explosions in the Sky & David Wingo • Hawkwind • Dead Can Dance • Glissando • J. Zunz • Jesu • Swans • John Coltrane • Iggy Pop • Cocteau Twins • Ryan Michael Patterson • The Cure • Marissa Nadler Explosions in the Sky & David Wingo: "The Lines On the Road That Lead You Back Home" taken from the album "Prince Avalanche OST" Hawkwind: "D-Rider" taken from the album "Hall of the Mountain Grill" Dead Can Dance: "The Arcane" taken from the album "Garden of the Arcane Delights" Glissando: "The Long Lost" taken from the album "The World Without Us" J. Zunz: "JÙPITER" taken from the album "Hibiscus" Jesu: "Losing Streak" taken from the EP "Opiate Sun" Swans: "The Seer Returns" taken from the album "The Seer" John Coltrane: "A Love Supreme, Pt. 4: Psalm" taken from the album "A Love Supreme" Iggy Pop: "The Endless Sea" taken from the album "New Values" Cocteau Twins: "Dear Heart" taken from the album "Garlands" Ryan Michael Patterson: "Melting Horizons" taken from the album "Apocalypticism" The Cure: "The Drowning Man" taken from the album "Faith" Marissa Nadler: "Sad Cinderella" taken from the album "Songs Of Townes Van Zandt Vol. III"

Dreams of Consciousness Podcast Episode 230 features an interview with Mauricio "Boka" Alves Fernandez of Brazilian crossover legends Ratos de Porão. Hopefully Ratos de Porão don't need an introduction to this audience - São Paulo's legendary "basement rats" are held in high regard by everyone from Sepultura to Jello Biafra, and were instrumental in shaping the Brazilian underground beloved by heshers worldwide. I spoke with drummer Mauricio "Boka" Alves Fernandez about why he had to learn songs for their latest album Necropolítica in the studio, and how local issues in Brazil inspire RDP's "sarcastic and macabre" lyrics. We also discussed why Necropolítica sounds like a return to their crossover era, and what the band has left to accomplish after 40 years and 14 albums. My thanks to Boka for speaking with me, and to all of you for listening. Music In This Episode: "Máquina Militar" "AIDS, Pop, Repressão" taken from the album Brasil "Entubado" "Necropolítica" "Aglomeração" "Passa Pano Pra Elite" taken from the album Necropolítica Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com

Small Life Form • Ushangvagush • Kaatayra • pando • Red Sparrowes Pseudodoxia • Snøgg • Nick Vasallo • Arne Heesch Small Life Form: "doll piano" taken from the album "First Recordings" Ushangvagush: "Amasia's Letter" taken from the album "Mntu" Kaatayra: "Dundararaiê" taken from the album "Inpariquipê" pando: "dadaism" taken from the album "rites" Red Sparrowes: "Buildings began to stretch wide across the key, and the air filled with a reddish glow." taken from the album "Live at Bottom of the Hill, 2005-08-11" Pseudodoxia: "EON S o o t h ECHOES" taken from the album "The Eerie and Radiant Doorless Rooms Of Pain" Snøgg: "Dan, ko je Vrag vzel šalo" taken from the album "Dan, ko je Vrag vzel šalo" Nick Vasallo: "The Moment Before Death Stretches on Forever, Like an Ocean of Time..." taken from the album "Apophany" Arne Heesch: "The Goddess" taken from the album "Demons Are Scared" Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com

Dreams of Consciousness Podcast Episode 229 features an interview with Mando Tovar of Las Cruces. Hailing from San Antonio, TX, Las Cruces are metal lifers who have weathered line-up shuffles and music industry tumult since they emerged in the mid-Nineties. Since their inception, they've represented a style of "true doom" that has one foot in early Black Sabbath and another in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. I spoke with guitarist Mando Tovar about why the early Las Cruces albums made him decide he had to join the band, and how their late drummer Paul Deleon took over vocal duties for a time. We also discussed the long road to completing and releasing their fourth album Cosmic Tears, and what it'll take to keep Las Cruces going. My thanks to Mando for speaking with me, and to all of you for listening. Music In This Episode: "Revelations" taken from the album Dusk "Holy Hell" "Egyptian Winter" taken from the album Cosmic Tears "Skin Chamber" taken from the album S.O.L. Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com

Healing Magic • Assumption • Pyrithe • The Crooked Whispers • Crypt Monarch • Stöner • Black Lung • Witchfinder • Beastie Boys • JIRM • Tzompantli Healing Magic: "Wolf Coven" taken from the album "Volume 1: Fire" Assumption: "Submerged By Hadean Tides" taken from the album "Hadean Tides" Pyrithe: "Luminous" taken from the album "Monuments To Impermanence" The Crooked Whispers: "Evil Tribute" taken from the album "Satanic Melodies" Crypt Monarch: "Aglaophotis" taken from the album "The Necronaut" Stöner: "Turn it Around Now" taken from the album "Totally..." Black Lung: "Dark Waves" taken from the album "Dark Waves" Witchfinder: "The Maze" taken from the album "Endless Garden" Beastie Boys: "Gratitude" taken from the album "Check Your Head" JIRM: "You fly" taken from the album "The Tunnel, The Well, Holy Bedlam" Tzompantli: "Ohtlatocopailcahualuztli" taken from the album "Tlazcaltiliztli" Thanks for listening! Interviews, reviews, and more at www.dreamsofconsciousness.com a Q+A with Pyrithe: https://bit.ly/3wo7PER a Q+A with Tzompantli: https://bit.ly/39IqRhI