Pure Noise Records

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: BLOOD VULTURE- DIE CLOSE

I love when I get sent albums to check out. Sometimes I will go in blind without reading anything about the band and who is in it just so I can be surprised by what I’m listening to. Now this doesn’t always work out for the best but, when it does, oh my, it’s quite the experience. Recently I put an album on that really knocked my socks off! The band name peaked my interest as well as the cover art, so I put it on and what I heard was damn good. What I heard sounded like the perfect blend of 90’s grunge, parts of death metal, goth rock, and doom metal. now, with that in mind allow me to introduce you to Blood Vulture and their debut album, Die Close.

Blood Vulture is the brain child of Jordan OIds, who you might know as Gwarsenio Hall from the very hilarious internet show, Two Minutes To Late Night. This very cinematic debut album takes it’s lead from classic and modern vampiric influences like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Near Dark and Let The Right One In to create a very dark and vivid world that tells a great narrative story while also leading you down a dark musical alley. Throughout the albums 10 songs, you get sucked in more and more (no pun intended- though that worked out perfectly). The epic nature of this album allows you to listen multiple times and get swept away by all that this is. I keep finding more to like with each listen. Another aspect to this album that is quite fun is the guest appearance of A.F.I.’s Jade Puget on the song “Grey Mourning,” which as of this writing, is my favorite song on the album. Shadow’s Fall vocalist Brian Fair guests on the song “Burn For It” and Lingua Ignota’s Kristen Hayter is on the song “Entwined.”

Die Close is not a joke album! This is a really serious album that actually feels deeply personal, as the stories told sift through real life situations but, set in a more “mythical setting” to add a bit more dramatic pause. This is one of the best albums I’ve heard all year. Blood Vulture is definitely in my Top 10 Albums of 2025! The creativity as well as songwriting on Die Close, really shows how talented Jordan is and I look forward to more! This is soooooooo good! You can catch Blood Vulture on tour this fall with GWAR and HELMET!!!!

Overall Rating= A

Blood Vulture- Die Close:

More About Blood Vulture HERE

New Release: Thoughtcrimes- Natural Imprudence

Back in August of 2022, Thoughtcrimes released their full length debut, Altered Pasts. That album quickly became a favorite of mine and it’s still been in rotation. Now, a new song has been unleashed upon us and it’s a banger! Speaking about “Natural Imprudence,” Billy Rymer said “The initial inspiration came about with a conversation Russ and I had about HM-2 distortion. He then brought his Evil Ned pedal to my place and we made a demo. This is probably the fastest we have written and released a track. We are all excited to share something that is still fresh even to us.” That being said, it’s pretty awesome to get a surprise new track from Thoughtcrimes. Now all that is needed is a proper Los Angeles show date!

Thoughtcrimes- Natural Imprudence (Official Video):

On Bandcamp:

https://purenoise.bandcamp.com/track/natural-imprudence

Album Review: Thoughtcrimes- Altered Pasts

The debut album Altered Pasts from Thoughtcrimes is without a doubt one hell of a record! There is no other way to put it. Simply this album is one of those that you need to hear and digest. The moment I heard it, I immediately started it again. There is so much to unlock with the 11 songs that are on the album. Altered Pasts is the type of album you find yourself getting more and more immersed in what is happening with each listen.

I have chosen not to do an album breakdown of the songs because I don’t want to give anything away. Seriously, listen to this album in FULL!!! Each song has its own charm and ability to hit you like a ton of bricks. The way the album pulls you in, and the twists and turns it creates, has the ability at times to leave your mind a bit blown. The pummeling riffs and rhythms take you on quite the journey, while the vocals and lyrics take that journey to another level. Then you have the seductive ambience throughout that encompasses this whirlwind of an album. As aggressive as the album is, there is a balance of melody that provides a sweet contrast to the songs. The whole way through the album starting with “Panopticon” and finishing with “Lunar Waves,” you’ll notice that there is absolutely no filler on here. It’s 11 songs of unrelenting ferociousness that you need in your life.

Thoughtcrimes have released one of the best albums of 2022 with Altered Pasts. Everything about this album screams “LISTEN TO ME!” I personally, can’t wait to see what the next step of the evolution of this band winds up being. From their debut EP into this full length, it shows that they are on the right path to leaving quite a mark within the heavy music community. Thoughtcrimes and especially with Altered Pasts, will get into your head and it will stay there with the notion that this album is imperative and much needed in today’s world!


Overall Rating: A

Thoughtcrimes- Altered Pasts:

Anticipated Albums: Thoughtcrimes- Altered Pasts

In today’s world of heavy music, it takes a lot to get my blood pumping. There are so many generic boring wannabe type metal bands out there but, in the end, they really just don’t get it. Thankfully, some bands in heavy music do get it and the end result for those are aces above the rest. A while back I heard of a new band/project that peaked my interest and now their full length album is upon us. Allow me to introduce you to Thoughtcrimes. This band is absolutely badass. Their sound is a bit of hardcore mixed with metal (but not “metalcore”), a bit of groove and just the right tinge of melody to give it that extra bit of oomph to capture you. Produced by Mike Watts, the 11-song album is an unrelenting kick to your face while at the same time daring to challenge you. The three songs released so far including “Panopticon,” “The Drowning Man,” the most recent “Keyhole Romance” are superb, with the latter being one of the more ambitious songs the band has written yet. Throughout the album (yes I’ve heard it and I will save a full review till closer to release day), you find yourself more and more immersed in what is happening. The bits of ambience are seductive, then the pummeling of riffs and rhythms take you on a whirlwind. Thoughtcrimes is one of the bands of today that not only should be one of your favorite heavy bands but those “other bands” I mentioned at the beginning should be taking notes from these guys on how to do it right!

PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM HERE!!!!!

Keyhole Romance:

Panopticon:

The Drowning Man: