When you’re a dude with a bachelor’s in English Lit who only read shit from the 17th century and earlier, you don’t have many chances to show off what you’ve learned. Mostly because no one cares about 9,000-line Old English poems about shepherds boning nymphs anymore. Which is why I was so stoked to hear that avant-metal guitar wizard Mick Barr, under the moniker Ocrilim, will be releasing his new album Annwn on Feb. 5th. You see, I took this Celtic literature class once, and we had to read a collection of Welsh tales called The Mabinogion, which took place in a magical place called Annwn, an “otherworld” which was filled with witches, cauldrons, horse goddesses and bleeding lances. It’s my favorite thing ever. And no, I’m not 12.

I’ve only heard one track off Annwn the album and it sounds similarly fantastical. The whole thing was created using multiple guitars shredding simultaneously. Drums and bass are lame anyway. Check out the 13-plus-minute “Part Five: here.

Hydra Head has released a partial release schedule for 2007, and it looks pretty dope, especially if you wear black hoodies, enjoy brooding and stand motionless at rock shows.

January 23rd
PELICAN - After the Ceiling Cracked DVD/3″CD

January 30th
ZOZOBRA - Harmonic Tremors CD

February 6th
CLOUDS - Legendary Demo CD

February 20th
JESU - Conqueror CD

March 6th
BIG BUSINESS - Here Come the Waterworks CD