Crooked Bat Claw

The new Bat album was released back in May this year, and while I've really enjoyed the other records from them, 2025 has been a strange year and I haven't been able to work up any interest until now. Something clicked in my brain a few weeks ago when I was posting the latest album from The Obsessed, and suddenly I felt the urge to check out some of the more newer metal records. The new Bat album came to mind, and I headed over to Spotify to finally check it out.

Bat haven't released anything since before the Covid pandemic... so, like 100 years ago. No worries though, because Bat keep doing what Bat does best and channelling that old Venom sound (with a healthy dose of Motorhead's Orgasmatron) directly into Under The Crooked Claw. Initially I wasn't too excited about the cartoon bat cover art, but after a friend showed me examples of what other bands were doing with their generic AI looking covers, I suddenly felt a lot better about this one.

Shockingly, there seems to be only one colored vinyl pressing of this album. 1,500 on clear with black marble. Happy to be able to grab this copy at a local record store instead of Discogs for a change.

Long Live The Lewd

Ryan Waste has the midas touch, and everything the dude does is absolute gold. Municipal Waste, Volture, the short lived youtube channel for Living Fast (well, that first episode was great anyway), and obviously his latest band, Bat.

It has been a few years since the Wings Of Chains LP, so I was eager for the latest EP from the band. As soon as preorders went up for Axestasy, I was in the Hells Headbangers store to get the limited colored vinyl option. I've done pretty well and scored the limited vinyl pressing for the last couple of Bat records, so I didn't want to fuck up and break the streak with this one. Mission accomplished.

500 pressed on bone colored vinyl.

Hell yes. Bat keep the Venom vibe going strong with this EP. Rock fucking solid.

Bat Chains

Ryan Waste, from Municipal Waste, has been letting the buzz around his new band, Bat, slowly build over the years. Releasing a demo in 2013, and then a 7 inch single in 2015, they finally drop their first album this year. Everything they have released so far has been pure gold, so the Wings Of Chains LP was one of my most anticipated releases this year.

As soon as the album was available over at Hells Headbangers, I was in the store and picking up the clear vinyl pressing.

The only downside with this album is that literally half of the songs were released on different recordings. Twelve song LP, with six of them already appearing on the demo and last year's single. Damn. This thing rules though. Awesome Venom worship.

Cruel Bat

Last month, Hells Headbangers released the Bat demo on 12 inch vinyl. While I was initially disappointed to not receive the colored vinyl for that release, in the end I found that the black vinyl actually looked better, so I was okay missing out on the more limited pressing. With the release of the new Bat 7 inch, I was not going to be satisfied unless I had my hands on that limited red vinyl pressing.

Just like with the demo, I was visiting the Hells Headbangers webstore once or twice a day, refreshing the page for the Cruel Discipline 7 inch, just waiting for the record to be available to order. My persistence paid off this time, and I got what I wanted.

Red vinyl limited to 111.

As a teaser for their new LP that is due out later this year, Bat released a two song 7 inch. Well, since the b-side song, Rule Of The Beast, was originally from the demo, we really only get one new song here...but damn, it is worth it. Cruel Discipline picks up where the 2013 demo left off. Fast and raw...this song rules, and increases my anticipation for the new album.

Year Of The Bat

Back in 2013, Bat released their Primitive Age demo. Man, that thing was so wrapped up in Venom worship, I fell in love with it immediately. Now in 2015, the band are set to release a new 7 inch, and record a full length album, so it was the perfect time to finally get those demo songs pressed on vinyl.

Hells Headbangers had the Primitive Age 12 inch listed in their store as Out Of Stock for weeks before they were made available. There were only 111 pressed on white vinyl, and I was in that store checking everyday until they were available to buy. As soon as I saw the vinyl was available, I added the white vinyl to my cart. Victory! My determination paid off, and I scored the most limited pressing...or so I thought. A couple of days later, Hells Headbangers sends me an email that basically says, "Whoops, sorry...the white vinyl isn't available any longer. Are you okay with black vinyl?". Damn it. No, it isn't okay, but what other option do I have? I'll take the black vinyl.

The b-side of this record is screened with the Bat logo. Damn, that thing looks good! Comparing it to the white vinyl, I have to say that I prefer the look of the black vinyl with the white silk screened art. I'm glad that things worked out this way...but damn it, I better get the red vinyl for the new Bat single that is due to drop any day!