Charlotte doom metal act signs to Napalm Records

Charlotte-based doom metal band Bloody Hammers announced last week that it has signed with Austria's Napalm Records. If you're asking, who? You probably aren't alone. There's a theory that if bands want to be big on a national or global scale, they shouldn't play their hometown. At least not very often. If this is true then Bloody Hammers may be Charlotte's best kept secret. Although it played Asheville with Church of Misery and Atlanta recently, I'm still waiting for Charlotte.

The band came seemingly out of nowhere in 2012 when songwriter/arranger/vocalist/bassist Anders Manga posted his self-recorded, self-titled album under the name Bloody Hammers to Bandcamp. It immediately (like overnight) drew the attention of Europe's Soulseller Records, who offered to distribute it. The Netherlands-based label has since put out a second album, "Spiritual Relics."

Manga, who'd written and played everything on that first album himself, assembled a band and eventually hit the road. The sludgy, horror hard-rockers have played Phil Anselmo's Housecore Horror Film Festival as well as toured with Ancient Wisdom and Church of Misery.

The group's prolific mastermind has already written songs for a third record, which he calls the best material he's ever penned. 

"Napalm has the talented worldwide staff and infrastructure that made perfect sense to me. I've recently written some of the best songs in my life for the next album and I'm confident they will do their part in getting it out to the world," he said in a press release.

You can check out the video for "What's Haunting You" from "Spiritual Relics" above. Bloody Hammers marries my fondness for horror and gothic imagery and my husband's love of stoner rock riffing. It's dark, but still listenable and catchy with lyrics you can make out. And heck, I'm always happy when I can post a metal or rap video with no profanity!

I'll keep you posted on when Bloody Hammers hits a local venue.