NINE-ISH SONGS I LIKED THIS WEEK IN LIST FORM – MAR 17 – MAR 23
Life continues to be shockingly horrid for more and more people. Music to the rescue. Again. Keep safe.
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1. Acathexis – "Dreams of Scorched Mirrors," from Immerse (Atmospheric Black Metal – Amor Fati Productions). I loved Acathexis's self-titled debut, as did anyone with a pulse. But 2018 was so long ago, decades away. And the long-awaited return of Acathexis felt like an event that could have been huge in 2020 and was in danger of being overwhelmed by the torrent of music seemingly coming out every second these days. Thing is, however, the real thing will always shine as the real thing, and this right here is the real thing. The kind of atmospheric black metal that almost feels other-worldly and fantastical for how well done and perfect it is, and yet still pulls you into the abyss of your own emotions. Some poor band is going to have to do a lot do outdo this. First-class, instant-classic stuff. FFO: Déhà, Olhava.
2. Verberis – ״Labyrinthine Privation," from The Apophatic Wilderness (Black/Death Metal – NoEvDia). So, a new Ulcerate track and a Verberis one the next? I could get used to this inundation of Jamie Saint Merat in my life. A gentle rain of meandering, dissonant chords that paints a landscape of chilly isolation and emotional disorientation while being devoured by a wolf. 10/10 would recommend. FFO: Ad Nauseum, Drastus.
3. Celestial Sword – "Scarlet Moon Enchantment I & II (ft. Zofie Siege)," from Nocturnal Divinity (Raw Black Metal – Death Prayer Records). Took me a bit of a while to get to this new album from Celestial Sword, but I am very, very happy I did. It's been quite the while since a raw-ish/lo-fi black metal release has grabbed me the way this does. The atmospheric is impeccable, the dynamics between the vampire-consuming bits and the pondering-one's-own-moratlity bits is fantastic, and the songs are both beautiful and fit together beautifully. Fantastic. FFO: Lamp of Murmuur, Thy Dying Light.
4. Ondrædan – "Valle de la Muerte," from Ascenso (Black Metal – Independent). It's been a while since I've had a Bandcamp epiphany, but this is definitely one. Chilean black metal that feels simultaneously ruthless and moving, with an almost post-rock/metal vibe to the emotional part. Uplifting, down-crushing stuff. FFO: Hollow Woods, Mizmor.
5. Crippling Alcoholism – "Red Looks Good on Him," from With Love from a Padded Room (Noise Rock/Goth – Independent). This one filtered its un-merry way into my weary consciousness via a hot recommendation from Suffering Hour's YhA. What it is, to me, is a celebration of everything sad about 90s alt-rock/metal as sifted through 80s post-punk, Virus, and Faith No More. Does that makes sense? It probably doesn't, but I have a sneaky feeling this album, with its fake serenity, will take hold on my consicousness in the same way another slab of 90s sad-boy worship – Nothing's The Great Dismal – did for me a few years back. Just crooked enough to keep you intrigued, just pleasant enough to leave you trapped. FFO: Hum, Sunrise Patriot Motion.
6. Fake Dust – Tour Promo (Grindcore – Independent). I would choose one track, but given that the whole release is just under four-minutes long, I think we can all live without that. Not sure I've heard better grindcore thus far this year, and in fact am certain I have not. Fast, ruthless, original, fantastic drumming, and earth-shattering everything else. Get fucked. FFO: Internal Rot, Disintegration.
7. Heáfodbán – "A Trail on Your Skin," from Blódwracu (Black Metal/Folk/Drone – Northern Doom Records). Have been following the good people at Heáfodbán since their stellar debut release, Bealusorg. And what I said then applies now, and more so: This makes zero sense. Is this black metal raging in the midnight hour? Is this in fact a screamo album recorded very badly? Is this a folk tribute to the folk of black metal bands like Ulver or Djevel? Is this a drone album? I don't know. I have a feeling the persons in charge don't either, and seem to know less and less with each subsequent release. Which makes this their most illegible and easily their best, and one of the best releases of the year so far. FFO: Living under a tree but also in the sky.
8. Scarcity – "In the Basin of Alkaline Grief," from The Promise of Rain (Avant-Garde Black Metal – The Flenser). I may have missed a lot in life, both because of where I'm from and because of when I was born. We all miss a lot of things in life, even if we were born in the center of the cultural universe and just at "the right time." That's one of the things one has to accept, that shit isn't going to line up, and you're lucky it ever does, even for a fleeting moment, let alone for a whole period of your time on earth. So, I have, as I have said, missed quite a bit. But I was alive and listening when Scarcity made music, and for that I am thankful. FFO: Scarcity. Oh, and that cover by Christian Degn (of Moray and being brilliant fame), which, as I understand it, is an adaption of a photo by another very talented person, Caroline Harrison, is among the best album covers I have seen.
9. Sacrificial Vein – "Throne of Perversion," from Black Terror Genesis (Dissonant Black Metal – Total Dissonant Worship). My first go around with this wonderful release was the same week Convulsing and Ulcerate released new shit and I was, as the poet once said, all dissoed out. Which, I think, prevented me from seeing the true greatness of this album and to recognize what it actually is – a brilliant black metal album that springs from the forehead of such bands like Blut aus Nord anfd Svartidauði. Those don't come along as often. Get on this ASAP. FFO: Being attacked by musical notes.
BONUS: Insect Ark – "Youth Body Swayed," from Raw Blood Singing (Experimental Doom Metal – Debemur Morti Productions). I keep wanting to get back to nine tracks every week, but the year is getting into an insane gear that prevents me from doing so. Case in point: A new release coming from the magnificent, the unnerving Insect Ark, who now, alongside mastermind Dana Schechter, also includes the great Tim Wyskida. So much atmosphere in seemingly minimal means, made that much more extreme/strange via the beautiful use of electronics. And that doomy pocket Wyskida wields is fucking insane. Welp, another amazing release to look forward to. FFO: Bismuth, Nadja.
FIVE MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
ONE: Shellac announced their first album in ten years.
TWO: Altar of Gore annoucned a new album. Rejoice, ye death metal heathens (pre-order).
THREE: Defacement signed to Avantgarde Music and will be coming with a new album this year.
FOUR: Had the best pre-Birthday food in a very long time after I asked my mom to make some of the greatest hits of poverty Hungarian food ever. A night to remember.
FIVE: New (more like salvaged from the grave) album from Sawtooth Grin.
ONE LAST THING, PROMISE: Pallbearer really had me with their debut, but kind of lost me as the albums progressed. Now that they're basically 70s rock, I'm intrigued.
OH AND: All of Finland's best have come together to shoot electro krautrock lasers at your head as Haunted Plasma. Might write about this more next week (members of Circle, Oranssi Pazuzu and more).
