NINE (-ISH) SONGS I LIKED THIS WEEK IN LIST FORM – MAY 5 – MAY 11
And you thought I wouldn't be posting this week. For shame. Keep safe.
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1. Ulvik – "So Passes Earthly Glory," from Last Rites | Dire Omens (Atmospheric Black Metal – Avantgarde Music). I was already a fan of some of these dudes' older work, but this album right here is it. Of course, by that I mean IT, or maybe it – "IT!" Absolutely inspiring songwriting that transcends this beautiful thing from a good atmospheric black metal album to one of the best albums to have come out this year, PERIOD, or period, or "period!" Monumental metal that will pump blood into your soul that will end up coming out your eyes. FFO: Mare Cogitum, Panopticon.
2. Hagetisse – "Drink from the Fountain of Fallen Stars," from The Fountain of Fallen Stars (Black Metal – Kapmes Records). The GOD MC (sorry, under the influence of a protracted rap beef) Mories returns with yet another brilliant album (I thought he'd be sick of doing that by now), this time under his black metal insanity project Hagetisse. Every post about the work of Maurice de Jong is also an exercise in how many times can you call a man a genius, but – he's a genius. If anyone needed any proof. FFO: Krallice, Ash Borer.
3. Árstíðir lífsins – "Nauð greyprs élreka," from Aldrlok (Atmospheric Black Metal – Ván Records). Yes, more life-affirming-yet-also-life-crushing atmospheric shit, this time from the Icelandic masters of the craft. They released a wonderful EP last year, and yet felt like treating us to more, and I ain't arguing. Icelandic in that it's theatric, evil-sounding, and volcano-breathing with a hefty dash of Viking. Add all that to the bedrock of repetitive, trance-creating riffs, and I'm THIS close to buying a ship and pillaging some fools. FFO: Enslaved, pillaging.
4. Morgul Blade – "Frostwyrm Cavalry," from Heavy Metal Wraiths (Heavy Metal / Black Metal – No Remorse Records). I'm a fan, but the first single – the title track – threw me off, mainly since it was a bit too trad metal for my already not a heavy metal guy tastes. But I thought I'd check out the album when it came out, and am very happy I did that. I'm smart that way. A wonderful, often catchy celebration of pomp, black metal, and some more pomp. This track right here, for instance, is almost an anthem for some made-up war. Super cool. FFO: WAR!.
5. Unearthly Rites – "Sacrifice Zones," from Ecdysis (Death Doom – Prosthetic Records). All that grandeur and pretentiousness had to be cut down at some point (though I shall return to that theme shortly), and what better way to cut that shit down with crusty death doom so nasty the riffs actually smell like unwashed socks. If Winter did anything great in life – and they did a lot of great shit in life – then inspiring offspring that manage to capture that "this ain't death doom it's hardcore played very slow" vibe is some Noble Prize shit. FFO: Winter, Unearthly Trance.
6. Trǫlláss – "Subhuman Psychosis," from All Trolls Are Bastards (Black Metal – Independent). After highlighting the work of the dungeon synth/black metal project Trǫlláss on one of my previous compilations, I must admit I did not keep up with the times. That shit's on me. No excuses. But I revisited the singular project lately and was happy to find a new synth album from earlier this year, and an album from last year that actually includes the track that was on the comp. Nasty, drum-machine-tastic black metal that will rip your pretty face off. FFO: Well, not faces, that's for sure.
7. Luna Pythonissam – "Ecos del miedo," from Ecos del miedo (Blackgaze / Atmospheric Black Metal – Independent). Perhaps the winner of the "most listened-to album of the week," along with Ulvik. Majestic, emotiojnal, fuzzy-as-shit blackgaze/post-blackmetal/whateveryouwannacallit that makes you feel like a human who is also sad about being human. Very pretty. FFO: Agriculture, Trhä.
8. Svrm – "Самотній і проклятий," from Прощання (Atmospheric Black Metal – Independent). I think I could be considered a day-one Svrm fan (even had the shirt he put out, gave it away though) and I have loved every single thing he has put out. Except, that is, for the EP that was released earlier this year, which didn't really connect with me. This, however, is exactly what I need – humongous atmospheres, beautiful melodies, nasty – vicious, in fact – production/mixing. The complete "make me feel something" started pack is here. And more. FFO: Windswept, Koldostvo.
9. Naxen – "To Writhe in the Womb of Night," from Descending into a Deeper Darkness (Black Metal – Vendetta Records). Truth be told, I would not have checked this album out had it not been for the infectious (and trustworthy) enthusiasm of my good friend in Twitter-land, Donovan. He was hype, and so I thought I'd check it out. Now, for me to do this justice I have to kind of invent a term here – CEBM, or Central European Black Metal. You know what I'm talking about, that massive sound, the incessant, almost Smashing Pumpings-like obsessive riffing, the attacking atmosphere, the clean production. Whether from Poland, Germany or, at times, elsewhere, you can't mistake that shit. And this is one of the best CEBM albums I have heard in quite some time. It ain't gritty in that American way, and it ain't melodic in that French way. It's a truck, and it's fucking amazing. FFO: Trucks and potato-heavy diets.
BONUS: Ehtëk – "ilé," from Íncst (Black Metal – Independent). Do I think this is a new Damián Antón Ojeda project? Well, that was my first thought, and that thought is kind of still there. But, regardless if this another outlet for the Sadness/Trhä genius, whoever's in charge of this is a genius regardless. Again, I don't know, but if you thought Trhä needed to be more aggressive while retaining that ethereal aura, then this project is just for you. The anguish of screamo/hardcore, the vibes of atmospheric black metal, and the riffs that kill a man. FFO: Ah, well…
FIVE MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
ONE: Intriguing new raw/lo-fi black metal from Vile in Vehement over here.
TWO: New Wraith coming, if you're into thrash metal that's actually good.
THREE: New Amiensus is beautiful. Took me a while to get to it, but well worth your time.
FOUR: Steve Albini passing is the motherload of musician deaths, since he checks off so many boxes for me as a producer/engineer, musician, writer, and online presence. If my love for music was a mansion (probably not a well well-kept one, but stick with me here), then there would be a whole Albini Wing. For his indelible mark as a musician, through his magic touch on so many of my favorite albums, from way back in middle school to the present day, and for being a real dude in a (mostly) non-toxic way. You won't replace him, might just fuck around and honor him.
FIVE: Awesome powerviolence/hardcore from the legends over at Failure.
ONE LAST THING, PROMISE: If everyone can hold off on WWIIIIIII so I can make it in one piece to see Yellow Eyes and 40 Watt Sun that would be greatly appreciated. Yours truly, Ron.
