Blue Sabbath Black Cheer, Dead Death, Death Dead (side A)

Apart from having a funny and creative name, Blue Sabbath Black Cheer don't particularly differentiate themselves from other noise bands of the mid-'00s.  Their heaviness reminds me of Sunn O))), as does their use of death metal-influenced fonts and a lot of black in the packaging.  The dark, layered drones with noise and vocals peeking out owe a debt to groups like Double Leopards and Yellow Swans, though Blue Sabbath Black Cheer are definitely more aggressive and willfully punishing than either.  The screaming hardcore-like vocals come to the foreground more than many of the group's contemporaries would have placed them.  While 2006's Dead Death, Death Dead does not feel particularly innovative for its era, it is tasteful and well-executed.  The bass-heavy mastering job is quite competent, if obviously stylized, and the black-on-black printing of the cover taxidermy photograph came out great.