November 8th, 2023 - C-ing Through Fire

 

Hello there thrashers, headbangers, evil-doers, and craft beer freaks!  The Meista here today with another great pairing for you... "Seeing Through Fire", the killer 9th album from the mighty Ringworm and a juicy and delicious C Pale Ale from the fine folks at Equilibrium Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Ringworm
• Title: "Seeing Through Fire"
• Recorded: 2023 
• Release date: August 18th, 2023 (9th studio album by Ringworm)
• Record company: Nuclear Blast
• Production: Ringworm and Noah Buchanan
• Album cover art: Human Furnace 
• Personnel: Human Furnace (vocals), Mike Lare (guitars), Ryan Steigerwald (drums), Ed Stephens (bass), and Matt Sorg (guitars)
• Musical style: Death metal, thrash metal
• Sound: From the moment the needle drops on "Seeing Through Fire" to when "Playing God" ends, Ringworm relentlessly kicks your head in with some of the most aggressive metal to be released this year!  These guys have really outdone themselves with this release!  It is aggressive as hell, powerful, and I'm totally obsessed!  In a word: INTENSE!
• Major themes: Death, aggression, violence, the occult, darkness, insanity, individualism, inner conflict, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Seeing Through Fire"
2. "Carved In Stone"
3. "No Solace, No Quarter, No Mercy"
4. "Death Hoax"
5. "Thought Crimes"
6. "Unavoidable Truth"
7. "House Of Flies"
8. "You Want It To"
9. "Mental Decontrol"
10. "Power And Blood"
11. "Playing God"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Equilibrium Brewing Company (Middletown, New York)
• Website: https://www.eqbrew.com/
• Brew: C Pale Ale
• Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 4.8%
• Ingredients: The base is their Photon Pale Ale, but amped up with hops.
• Pour: The C Pale Ale pours a very hazy, bright, golden yellow with a frothy, eggshell white, 2+ finger head with great sustain and lots of sudsy, sticky, and layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by citrusy, tropically fruity, grainy, and more subtle sweetness.  There are aromas of orange juice, tangerine, lime, grapefruit rind, peach, apricot, pineapple, lemon zest, mango, crackery grains, herbal tea, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the C Pale Ale follows the nose with lots of citrus, tropical fruit, stone fruit, and more subtle bready flavors.  There are notes of tangerine, orange juice and zest, pineapple, peach, light strawberry, crackery biscuit, and softer toffee notes.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very crisp, refreshing, and juicy, yet smooth and creamy with a dry, slightly bitter, yet clean finish.

Overall pairing: The C Pale Ale from Equilibrium is bright, juicy, and punchy brew... perfect for crushing whilst rocking the fuck out to the brutality, intensity, and sheer power of Ringworks latest wonderful offering, "Seeing Through Fire"!  'Nuff said!

And if you haven't done so already, make sure to check out my interviews with Ringworm guitarists Mike Lare and Matt Sorg from last year:

• Mike Lare: https://youtu.be/molfbhf_5_M 
• Matt Sorg:  https://youtu.be/oWI18sKCEr4 

Cheers and hails!!