I’m not entirely sure if there aren’t actually two bands called The Body, and I’m a fan of them both, or if a single band is so f’ing eclectic that my mind cannot comprehend it. The Body entered my psyche with their 3-song, 18-minute EP, Master, We Perish — a bleak, operatic drone metal record that also happened to be perfect music to study Philip Converse’s “Michigan Model” by. Since then, I’ve seen/heard other releases that were so dissimilar that I thought Spotify was combining more than one band called The Body into my algorithm. They’ve dabbled in classical, dub, and new age, or maybe they haven’t? Are there two of them? A cursory internet search implies there is only one The Body, and I guess it makes sense, in a world where music created by Mike Patton is a thing.
The band’s new album, All the Waters of the Earth Turn to Blood, continues the theme and sound I encountered so many years ago on Master, We Perish: operatic, drone metal. The opening track’s first 8 minutes are the sound of Petra Haden dipping Imaginaryland in blood and holding a dark seance. When the track finally rips into full, demonic speed, the Earth opens up and swallows all the light in the world. “Speed” is perhaps the wrong word for what happens, though, because The Body is absolutely crawling on their bellies, dragging an anvil behind them. It might be too risky to move any faster, since it is pitch black as far as the eye cannot see.
Eventually, the group decides to lighten it up a bit. On Empty Hearth, they just might be having some fun and speaking gibberish, or they are casting a malevolent spell. Are they channeling the Boredoms or Satan? Either way, what a fantastic spirit to conjure.
There is a track on this record called Ruiner, which is not a cover of the NIN song, and is somehow darker than Trent Reznor was ever able to muster.
This is not music for mixed company; it will not get the party started or inspire your buddies to turn up the car radio. Your children will invariably start wildin’ out in the backseat if you try to play this record on a road trip. It is perfect for driving alone, studying political science, or taking a moment to shout into the abyss, which is likely happening more frequently these days, given the current political and economic realities. To put it simply, the new record by The Body is awesome. In case you didn’t notice, and of course you did, because you’re brilliant and beautiful, I have embedded it at the top of this post, and I’m certain The Body would appreciate your support. Check it out now.
More cool stuff:
The new Superman film: Have you seen it yet? A likable, golly-gee willikers Man of Steel who is just a good guy. He’s not complicated; the world around him is. I confess, I was destined to like this movie no matter what (I liked the first three Donner films and the Snyderverse), but David Corenswet’s portrayal is perfect.
Duster: Apparently, this show has already been cancelled by Netflix, but I was very happy to see JJ Abrams and Josh Holloway collaborating on the show again. Holloway will always be Sawyer, to be sure, but I guess on the bright side, Duster being cancelled means it cannot stick around long enough to jump the shark and end horribly. I might finish the season, despite knowing it has been cancelled, which kind of takes the fun out of it, but I really did like it that much.
FUBAR: A Netflix show starring the greatest actor of a generation, Arnold Schwarzenegger. I’m still finishing up season one (season two has been released), but the only way to describe this fantastic piece of programming is an episodic version of True Lies. What higher praise can there be?
Undead Unluck: An anime about a girl who puts a curse on everything she touches and a (usually nude) guy who cannot die. Revealing more about the premise of this show would be to spoil its magnificent gonzo-ness.
Dodgers 58-40 after play today (7/18/25), and about to get Blake Snell and Shohei Ohtani back on the mound. Also, as much as I hate the Worms, my heart sincerely goes out to Ketel Marte.
What I’m playing:
Bayonetta – PS3
Mario Kart World – Switch 2
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Switch 2
Mega Man X Legacy Collection – XBox Series X
Asto-Bot – PS5
Just finished The Last of Us II, finally ready to dive into Season II of the show, and anxiously anticipating the arrival of Donkey Kong Bananza. In my efforts to support physical media, I have delayed my gratification and forced myself to wait for delivery. Thanks for being so on top of it, Gamestop.
Until next time, lovely readers (and it might be a while, your boy starts student teaching in a month), Be excellent to each other, and party on, dude.
A Fool Speaks Loudest 