November 16th, 2022 - The Voodoo Ranger Is Hop Raiding The Retronomicon

 

Hey there headbangers, evil-doers, and hoppy beer lovers!  Your pal the Meista here rocking the hell out to  and a tasty brew... how's 'bout some "Retronomicon" from killer death metal band After Death and a Voodoo Ranger Hop Raider IPA from New Belgium Brewing Company?!  Oh yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: After Death
• Title: "Retronomicon"
• Recorded: 2000 through 2006 in Tampa, Florida
• Release date: 2007 (compilation album by After Death)
• Record company: Iron Pegasus Records
• Production: Jon Oliva and Mike Browning 
• Album cover art: Mike Browning?
• Personnel: Atrophous aka Edward Miller (guitars and bass), Mike Browning (drums and lead vocals), Demian Heftel (guitars), Bryan Hipp (guitars, bass, and backing vocals), Jesse Jolly (bass), Josh (guitars), Lisa Lombardo (keyboards and vocals), Napalm aka Jason Kiss (Keyboards), and Thomas Swain (bass)
• Additional musicians: Lloyd Wallin (guitars)
• Musical style: Death metal with elements of progressive metal and black metal
• Sound: Building on the sound of Browning's former bands (Nocturnus and Morbid Angel), After Death incorporates keyboards, sound effects, and science fiction and mythological-themed lyrics into the traditional Tampa death metal sound.  It is both compelling and heavy as hell!
• Major themes: Death, the occult, mythology, ancient Egypt, evil, science fiction, Lovecraftian horror, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "The Calling / Lords of the Black Path
2. "As Below So Above"
3. "The Star Chamber Of Isis"
4. "The Secret Cycle"
5. "Birth / Death Intro"
6. "0=2"
7. "Astral Staircase"
8. "Reviving The Gods"
9. "Consumed By Fire / Sulphur, Mercury And Salt"
10. "Darkness Intro"
11. "Nocturnus" (Nocturnus cover)
12. "Jesus Will Weep Again"
13. "Invocation To Cthulhu"
14. "Temple Of Cthulhu"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Company (Colorado)
• Website: https://www.newbelgium.com/ 
• Brew: Voodoo Ranger Hop Raider IPA
• Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 8.1%
• IBUs: 43
• Ingredients: Chinook, Citra, Galaxy, Nelson Sauvin, Pahto, and Sabro hops along with Pale, Caramel, and Honey malts 
• Pour: The Voodoo Ranger Hop Raider IPA pours a clear, golden-amber hue with a frothy, off-white, 1+ finger head with great retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is floral, citrusy, earthy, and herbal.  There are aromas of wildflowers, grapefruit rind, tangerine, apricot, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Voodoo Ranger Hop Raider IPA follows the nose with lots of punchy, hop-forward, citrusy, and stone fruit flavors.  There are notes of pink grapefruit juice, tangerine, peach, apricot, herbal tea, light pine, and caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied and moderately carbonated, the Voodoo Ranger Hop Raider IPA's mouthfeel is very crisp and hoppy with a dry and slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy and hoppy elements of Voodoo Ranger Hop Raider IPA are great for the "Retronomicon"!  Those citrusy notes really go great with the power, intensity, and aggression that is found on every single track of this underappreciated and very wonderful album!

And make sure to check out my interview with Mike Browning here: https://youtu.be/Y7x53ZiW7bE 

Cheers and hails!!