Metal Swim compilation review by John M. Ellison IV

“Metal Swim” is a free download compilation released by Adult Swim via Williams Street Records. I’ve always felt that these Adult Swim compilations are great primers for anyone that’s looking to expand their horizons musically or listeners looking to refresh themselves with genres they’re already familiar with. So, these compilations/mix tapes range from alternative/indie rap compilations such as “Definitive Swim”, “Chrome Children vol. 2”, indie rock and indie electronic such as “Warm and Scratchy” and “Ghostly Swim” respectively. Another one of the goals of these compilations are to familiarize listeners with less well known or artists with a strong cult audience. So, with the metal themed animated series Metalocalypse being as popular as it is, it’s not surprising that an all metal compilation would surface.

“Metal Swim” runs the gamut of styles such as thrash metal, speed metal, black metal, stoner metal etc. pretty much any form that fits under the “extreme metal” umbrella, it’s on here. When it comes to metal, although I did enjoy the compilation overall, I have more of a preference for thrash and stoner metal. So, Skeletonwitch, Black Cobra and Torche really caught my ear. But for those who are used to thrash and speed metal and have grown tired of it, this also features the more experimental styles such as post-metal and atmospheric work of Isis and Jesu and instrumental band Pelican. When it comes to it, this compilation can hopefully be a realization that metal is bigger and is a lot vaster than the clichés the genre can be and have been ridiculed for.

In closing, if you know somebody that is growing out of what have accosted as “mall metal” and is looking for something heavier and harder, this compilation would be a great start for them on their journey into the dark, brutal aural realm of intensity that we call metal.

Download Metal Swim here