NINE SONGS I LIKED THIS WEEK IN LIST FORM OCT 1 – OCT 7

You know me, I like to publish these things in the worst possible time. So, apparently I live in a war zone (again), so that's nice. Hopefully I'll be able to post these in the coming weeks. Realistically, don't think so. Take care.

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1. Vastum – "Indwelling Archon," from Inward to Gethsemane (Death Metal – 20 Buck Spin). A while back, in the wake of the Blood Incantation and Tomb Mold releases, I tweeted something to the tune of Tomb Mold being the band to beat, unless Vastum was releasing. Well, Vastum is releasing. So, one of the personal favorite bands ever, a rare AOTD and AOTY alum, and basically living legends, are back. And while they have at times perfected the magic of half-time horror, they're choice of a first single is a balls-to-the-wall, Chris-Reifert-is-jumping-in-his-living-grave rager. And I fucking love it. FFO: Vastum, Vastum, Vastum.

2. Hilde – "Noir ébène," from Mis​è​re (Black Metal – Frozen Woods Records). One of the more pleasant black metal surprises of the last couple of years is the brilliant French project Hilde. Grand-yet-gratingly-harsh music that sounds like soaring off a cliff in the rain while you're abdomen is penetrated by a rusty spear. Stunning, and the first track they've released off of an upcoming album is super-duper stunning. FFO: Wolves in the Throne Room, Yellow Eyes, Time Lurker.

3. Souffrance – "Veisalgie," from M​é​lodies pour âmes ravag​é​es (Black Metal – Independent). So, due warning: Every time I get into a band that excels at that toxic mid-tempo evil black metal shit and that also has decent atmosphere then those bands always end up sketchy. I don't know what it is about that combination of factors, but it is what it is. So, until I find out otherwise, this is a very cool, albeit very simple and very good variant of that general style. Sounds solid, is consistently pleasant and just a very enjoyable listen. FFO: Taking a walk on the mid-tempo side.

4. Xoth – "Sporecraft Zero," from Exogalactic (Progressive Death Metal – Dawnbreed Records). Xoth's Interdimensional Invocations blasted the Seattle Death-worshippers (capital letter intended) into my world in 2019, and other than producing some child-horrifying longsleeves (ask my kids), have remained dormant in their (I imagine) spaceship. Well, dormant no more. They're back, and seemingly even flashier and more fun than ever before. If twin-guitar soloing and incessant riffing is your cup of tea then I'm afraid you're about to get singed on the tongue. FFO: Death, Horrendous, Cryptic Shift.

5. Totenmesse – "Confrontation Looks Like Hope," from Fiktionlust (Black Metal – Pagan Records). Speaking of long-awaited, Totenmesse's majestic, violent, and horribly underrated To was, for too long, basically the only thing the band has ever done. I myself got into it due to the Odraza (and later Gruzja) connection. Oh the days of looking for anything Odraza related since they seemingly vanished off of the face of the Earth. Nevermind. What matters is that they're back, and as cruel and beautiful as ever. Attacking Polish black metal at its first. FFO: Tsjuder, Odraza, Furia.

6. Pyrolatrous – "Divination of the Relic Wind," from Inveterate (Black Metal – Gilead Media). On the one hand, a band I don't believe I've ever listened to, despite the fact that it's made up by musicians I follow and love. On the other, the first Gilead Media release in over a year. So much reason to be excited, and the result, I must say, is pretty exciting too. Whatever the vibe was on that wonderful Rigorous Institution album, that feels like black metal but kind of like hardcore too, all spewed through a blackened Lemmy voice, this is it. Catchy, hectic, and that good good venomous. FFO: Darkthrone, Morbus Chron, Rigorous Institution.

7. Escara – "Ente Vig​í​a," from Ente Vig​í​a (Screamo/Black Metal – Independent). It's been a while since I've dipped my toes back into the wonderful Colombian scene, but here we are. A debut full length from screamo-ish project Escara that, to me, sounds like everything that was magical about that early screamo Portrayal of Guilt. Nasty, emotional, and with an aggressive edge. Lovely shit, and wonderfully recorded and mixed by FRIEND OF THE SHOW, Miguel Méndez (MICO). FFO: Portrayal of Guilt, Cult Leader, Birds in a Row.

8. Aglo – "Shame as a Weapon," from Build Fear (Death Metal – Brilliant Emperor Records). I swear to fucking GOD that this is the third week I wanted to write about a) Aglo signing to the great Brilliant Emperor and b) releasing a crushing new album, but it just didn't happen. So, here I am, repaying my debts (that no one cares about and that are exclusively the product of my own self-shaming and stress). I wrote about their debut as well as about their excellent EP, more recently, and cannot recommend that shit enough. Death metal on the doomy side that feels like it pierces your soul. FFO: Obituary, Plague Patrol, Void Rot.

9. Wells Valley – "Princeps" from Achamoth (Dissonant Death Metal – Lavadome productions). Have been living with this disturbing cover art in my head for a few weeks now, not really daring to click it. As if it would kill me. I eventually did click it, though, and must report that I am sadly very much alive. However, living somewhat better thanks to the crooked riffs, the explosive vocals, and the whole "Blade Runner soundtrack if Blade Runner was directed by Fredrik Thordendal" vibe. Extremely cool. FFO: Ulcerate, Misanthropae, Altarage.

FIVE MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

ONE: I One of the best bands on earth, Sea Mosquito, announced a new album view the great Onism Productions. I would include the preview tracks in the blurbs above, but if you grabbed our compilaiton album from last year then, well, you've already heard them! Very excited to listen to the rest.

TWO: Another great band and MILIM KASHOT alum, Papangu, released a new live album. Get it.

THREE: Babylon Doom Cult, one of the best black metal labels of the last several years, is closing its doors indefinitely. Sucks.

FOUR: An unpleasant time. Being terrified is one thing, constantly catching yourself being terrified next to your kids is another. 

FIVE: HOT TAKE: The closing ambient track on the new WITTR EP is their best in years, which means they need to make another Celestite.

ONE LAST THING, PROMISE: Nocturnal Triumph, who released an amazing raw black metal album last year, has remixed and is re-releasing their first two albums via Amor Fati.

BONUS TRACK: There's a new Furia album coming this week. Head's up.