A FEW SONGS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE EXISTED THIS WEEK NOV 10 – NOV 16
Hello, here's some music. Keep safe.
If you're new to this metal blog of bones you can also check out the various interview projects I have going on as well as the weekly recommendation posts. And if you'd like to keep abreast of the latest, most pressing developments follow us wherever I may roam (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Bluesky, etc), and listen to my, I guess, active? (no) podcast (YouTube, Spotify, Apple), and to check out our amazing compilation albums. You could also possibly support my unholy work here (Patreon), if you feel like it. Early access to our bigger projects, weekly exclusive recommendations and playlists, and that wonderful feeling that you're encouraging a life-consuming habit. It's probably a bad idea, but to each their own. ON TO THE LIST.
Soliloque – "Calcinació i bromera," from I l'enyorança d'una brisa extinta... (Avant-Garde Black Metal – Independent). A gem of an album, weird and airy, that accompanied me throughout this week. Organic, dynamic, melancholy black metal that feels not that far from bands like, say, Nero di Marte on the one hand and Doldrum on the other. Very classical/folky at times, and they have some moments of actual straight-up folk in their back catalogue, such as this one. Very nice.
Trad – "Forsaken by Decay," from A világ magadra hagy téged (Atmospheric Black Metal – Independent). Atmospheric black metal of the galloping variety that's done in a way that makes it very clear that a) this is someone's bedroom, 100 percent someone's bedroom and b) whoever lives in that bedroom (hopefully the same person making the music) NEEDS these songs to get the fuck out of him before they eat him like acid. The melodic stuff for me is usually the hardest sell, but it feels so big and so real, you have to love it. Kind of Void Omnia/Vimur-esque in a way.
meth. and See You Next Tuesday – "Succumb," from Asymmetrics (Dissonant Hardcore? Maybe? – Good Fight). I mean, I did not see this coming, at all. The massive meth., who already released a beautiful – and long-awaited – album earlier this year, apparently collaborated with grindcore wizards See You Next Tuesday and made an album of absolute bone-chilling chaos, comprised of tracks by each band as well as fucking nightmares that are the result of both going HAM at the same time. Jesus mother of mary. Oh, and features from the Red Chord's Guy Kozowyk because sure, why not. By the way, Good Fight people – New The Banner, when?
Tavare – "Ghosts," from Ghosts (Indie/Slowcore – Broken Spine Productions). Low is and forever will be one of the most important bands in my life, and for that reason that passing of Mimi Parker was far from being just another celebrity death for me and for scores of other people. That place in my existence will forever remain vacant with Mimi's death, that's just a fact. But there's a way in which this new project featuring Aidan Baker (Nadja), Tristan Bakker (VROUW!), and the angelic Angela Muñoz (VROUW!) fits quite snugly into that aching, gaping nothingness at the center of my soul. It is of course unfair to make that comparison, fundamentally unfair, but the effect is so immediate and so beautiful I both can't help making it as well as can't help listening to this song and wishing I could cry my body away.
Rapière – "Существо," from Split with Les Cinq & Ospa 1959 (Post-Metal/Post-Hardcore – Regolith Records). Somewhere along the thin lines running between the pacing and slow anguish of Cult of Luna and the manic energy of a band like Celeste, this track from Russian project Rapière manages to both sound quite embedded in a known general sonic context as well as pretty fucking cool. I keep saying that post-metal was kind of my way back into metal but rarely feels exciting to me anymore, and this is one good example of it working.
Imperial Triumphant – "Hotel Sphinx," from Goldstar (Avant-Garde Metal – Century Media Records). Truth be told I have been feeling somewhat emotionally disconnected from most of what Imperial Triumphant released post-Vile Luxury and if I'm super honest since Abyssal Gods. It felt as if they was a thing they caught onto and really wouldn't let go that made things feel a bit stale. So I wasn't expecting much when I checked out their new single, I actually don't remember why I even clicked. But I did, and I think my gut is telling me this is to me their best stuff since around Vile Luxury. It doesn't feel self-celebratory or self indulgent, it feels, and I think for the first time in some time – mean. It feels mean and creepy, and good.
Kildonan – "Ioliar – Bhuidhe," from Embers (Black Metal – Caligari Records). Caligari strikes again, this time with an intriguing new band with some pretty intriguing new music. Two streams seem to be flowing into the thing called Kildonan, one of which is the grand, maybe even sentimental brand of black metal you could associated with anyone from Panopticon to Xasthur. The other is that unmistakably sharp, cold edge you get from Norwegian influences kind of mixed with some Urfaust for good measure. Which is ironic, because the music itself isn't as weird as I guess I'm making it out to be, just very good, creative and dynamic black metal.
Disfigure – "Maniac Spells," from New Age of Judgement (Hardcore/Black Metal – Independent). Some pretty effective blackened hardcore, or crusty black metal, or pretty pissed black metal from the hallowed grounds of New Haven, CT. It combines the bigness (that's a word I'm pretty sure) and atmosphere of something like black metal with the direct attack, shall we say "punch in the face" of hardcore into a smooth, unsettling object. Makes me think of Rigorous Institution somehow, only more black metal-y.
Masse d'Armes – "Lichen," from Masse d'Armes (Atmospheric Black Metal – Phantom Lure). Really had zero energy to complete this post, and thought of letting Disfigure close the deal, but this is a bit too pretty for me to ignore. But, still zero energy, so apologies. This debut from Quebecois project Masse d'Armes feels like what should happen in dungeons. Not torture, not a lack of water proofing, but shady figures walking around with a simple drum set, some synths, and creating the feeling of a world both falling apart and born. This is so fucking pretty. That's my point. And that voice. Man.
SHORT FACTS ABOUT THINGS
Fact #1: Slutet are apparently back. Hopefully with new music.
Fact #2: New Weeping Sores album is recorded, hopefully release is soon.
Fact #3: Truth be told I only head about Ahamkara because Panopticon sent that message this week about a new album coming. Which means I completely missed this 2014 release. I really shouldn't have. It's perfect.
Fact #4: Suffering Hour are rehearsing again. New album. Now. Please.
Bonus: The amazing NŪR are done with a new album and need a post-metal-happy label. Any tips would be more than welcomed. You can contact them here.
