NINE SONGS I LIKED THIS WEEK IN LIST FORM – JUL 28 – AUG 3
So, spending yet another week wondering if this is the one me and my kids get bombed. As of the moment of the writing of these lines that is still not the case. Always be thankful for the positive things in your life – who you love, who loves you, and who makes the sickest riffs. Make sure every one of those individuals knows about it. And keep safe.
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1. Silvaplana – "V," from Sils Maria (Avant-Garde Black Metal – Augur Tongues and IARNWITH). I spent a chuck of last week's post writing about the fact that Alex DeMaria (Yellow Eyes, Anicon) released two brilliant albums. And yet the album I didn't write about turned out to be just as good if not better than the one I did. So here I am again, saying this is some of the most pained, human, and wonderful black metal to hit the mean streets of my ears this year and that you're terminally stupid if you miss out on this. FFO: Doing as you're told.
2. Esoctrilihum – "Atüs Liberüs (Black Realms of Prisymiush'tarlh)," from Döth-Derniàlh (Black Metal – I, Voidhanger Records). The always-fruitful, always-fertile spongy earth that is Asthâghul's brain is once again back to throw some weird shit at your face. Say what you will about the incessant releasing the French prodigy is known for, when it gets time to release a proper album he rarely misses. This sounds not that unlike most of what we have come to expect from Esoctrilihum, just with a shit ton more focus and sense of cohesive atmosphere. Hell music for people who like heaven. FFO: Thunderstorms that don't ruin your day just enhance your awareness of nature and your minuscule role in it.
3. Moulin Banal – "Agenouillé à ton chevet," from Sainte-Paix (Black Metal – Corde Raide Productions). I have been waiting to hear new blasphemies from these Canadian deviants ever since their wonderful twin releases – 2019's Le rythme du maréchal ferrantx and 2020's De misère & d'engelures, both of which were mentioned in this leaky vessel (here and here). And the wait did not blunt their instruments one bit. Soaring, earth-soaked and menacing black metal that manages to inject atmosphere into its nastiness without losing one bit of edge.
4. Müür – "Grief Ascension (Amaranthine Flame)," from Grief Ascension (Atmospheric Black Metal – IARNWITH). A little jaunt down the dusty path of time here, seeing that this is a 2022 release that I only now discovered due to my love of the abovementioned Silvaplana (they share the same label). But a trip well worth taking, as it is some of the most beautiful atmospheric black metal albums I remember listening to lately, and probably – if I allow hyperbole to wash over me like the fear of being bombarded to death – of the last few years. It's raw in that almost early 90s vibe of pointy black metal guitars but the atmosphere is so huge you could have sworn you were listening to Ultha. Just immaculate stuff. FFO: Kissing stars in corpsepaint.
5. Deer Parade – "The Most Important Thing is to Forget about the Other People Who have Done it Better," from Throw out the Cogs (Experimental/Grindcore – Deadsleep Records). This release doesn't make sense. It's basically broken songs being played while someone cries blood in the background, and the whole thing is basically two minutes long. But if you wanted a map into the deep-seated terror that has – yet again – gripped me in the past week or so, well. Here it is. FFO: Maps to voids.
6. Undeath – "Brandish the Blade," from More Insane (Death Metal – Prosthetic Records). I'll say this every time I write about these dudes – I've loved them since the demo! How telling is that of the human condition in general and my own personal part in that affliction that I'm afraid of dying and my kids dying and yet am still petty enough to not only mention loving these dudes since the demo but also linking the proof. God. Anyhow, this might the Rochester crew at their most beefcake, but that's OK. Also can't unhear Anthrax in this entire thing, but Anthrax rule, so that's fine. FFO: Being petty.
7. Outremer – "Proboscis," from Silky Smooth (Noise Rock/Indie – Independent). I've been "sitting" on this wonderful record from the Tel-Aviv-based Outremer for a while now, unable to write about it since I don't write about music that you can't listen to as well. But now a first single is out and it sounds fucking fantastic, doesn't it? 90s Grunge/Sludge worship packed into a loose-fitting, airy, and agile shape. Makes me want to buy a pick up truck and a BC Rich, but I won't since I'm probably dying soon (JK JK JK, NJK). FFO: Corrosion of Conformity, Stone Temple Pilots.
8. Širom – "Grazes, Wrinkles, Drifts into Sleep," from The Liquified Throne of Simplicity (Experimental – Glitterbeat Records). Another gift from the man who is a gift, Lev, who happens to both be one of the most creative and beautiful musicians on earth and one of the best humans on any planet. A bunch of nerds making their own instruments and composing music that would pass as György Ligeti (Hungarian Jews, stand up!) trying to make a folk record. Beautiful and soul expanding, in a time where my soul has felt mostly contracted and small. Thank you, Lev. Not quite classical music, but I added it to my weirdo classical music playlist. FFO: Souls expanding.
9. Rådden Rektalvæske – "Meget Tænder, For Lidt Pleasure," from Dansktop i Drop-Tuning (Goregrind – Independent). Sometimes all a man needs is to drag one's knuckles across a HM-2 wasteland and puke. This debut EP from the Danish and goreish Rådden Rektalvæske is brutal and it feels fucking great. I expect great things. FFO: Vomit.
FIVE MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
ONE: New Oranssi Pazuzu single from the upcoming album and it sounds pretty good.
TWO: Yes, Opeth are growling again.
THREE: Nesssix, an electronic project from one of the gentle souls behind the beautiful atmospheric black metal band Ketoret are releasing a beautiful new album, with a beautiful new single.
FOUR: Death.
FIVE: Is there anything better in life other than mysterious murky dungeon synth demos that have live drums and that are actually amazing? Give it to Гљива.
ONE LAST THING, PROMISE: Death again. And over. Again.
