Songs to Keep Some Flame JUN 1 – JUN 7

Didn't really think I'd be posting this week seeing that I'm in a Stockholm airport at the moment, but here we are. Stay safe, Finland is beautiful, and fish soup rocks.

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.

Filth – "Time to Rot," from Time to Rot (Death Metal – Me Saco Un Ojo Records/Rotted Life). I'm well aware that last week's post was a tad on the melancholy side, which, I think, might be understandable given the state of things. But maybe this week needs to open with the kind of death metal that disallows melancholy, that allows only ground flesh into the fold. This debut from Swedish duo Filth is basically that – the body. The body in pain, perhaps (shout out Elaine Scarry). Death metal done right, that sounds right, and strikes the right tone between "I am dirt" and "I am person with a riff." 

Völur / Cares – "Breathless Spirit," from Breathless Spirit (Doom/Experimental – Black Throne Productions). The likely and unlikely meeting of the minds here. Unlikely because Völur's meandering, etherial doom doesn't seem to completely make sense as a collaboration with experimental/noise project Cares. But likely because, if you've paid attention to the beauty and variety of Völur's work, anything could and can fit into their eclectic ear and sound. I wrote about their incredible previous record upon its release, and was also privileged enough to see them live in 2024's inaugural Prepare the Ground festival. It was a stunning experience, and this haunting, winding road of a first single only makes we wish I could see them again. 

Why Patterns – "Self-Defeating Trebuchet," from Screamers (Experimental Punk/Noise – Human Worth). Out of the quiet, brooding melancholy of Völur and Cares and into what feels like the shitty, littered streets of some angry English city (London, I guess) in what feels like both the progeny of classic, ironic post-punk like Gang of Four, the poetic musings of Life Without Buildings or Ashenspire, and a wall of pissed noise. Music for people whose favorite movie is Mike Leigh's Naked.

Stygian Ruin – "Mellom månens sorte cirkler," from Stygia II: Ancient and Arcane (Ambient Atmospheric Black Metal – Independent). One of the more distinct black metal projects operating today, Stygian Ruin should, I think, be already a familiar name for readers of these fallow fields. I personally thought the previous release might have been their best so far, but, never to be outdone by nameless metal bloggers, they released another shimmering masterpiece of cosmic, mid-tempo atmospheric brilliance. Beautiful music, disturbing atmospheres, and another album that feels like a dream of a lost land to which you have never been but in which you might have had a sword.

IVSLYS – "Bergen Pine Spire," from Seven Four One Zero (Experimental/Folk – Independent). A haunting new project from the equally haunting New Jersey that feels like the one next step Leonard Cohen may have taken into weirdo lounge music had he lived enough to even think about that. Folk moving in a death metal pace, sliming its wet fur all over your ears, with gliding guitars, distant horns, and vocals that make you think there are (Leonard Cohen-loving) monsters in the cupboard. 

 

Kalmen – "Earthbound," from Sombre Vaults (Black/Doom Metal – Ván Records). Strong Urfaust vibes from this one, and overall one of the most enjoyable black metal on the disso/ritualistic spectrum I have had the pleasure of partaking in this year. Full sound, fantastic separation/production, and just cool shit done the right way.

Coltsblood – "Obscured Into Nebulous Dusk," from Obscured Into Nebulous Dusk (Doom Metal – Translation Loss Records). How long has it been since we had a new Coltsblood release? Well, the last one was six years ago. But, thing is, that wasn't just one other release, but a modern doom metal classic (and one of the most underrated doom releases of recent memory), which was their stunning split with the equally great Un. But while they did make us wait, they at least had the decency to come back with 42 minutes of immaculately written, immaculately produced, and immaculately executed doom metal of the highest order. Now is not the time to wallow in this kind of sadness-increasing music. But I would argue now is the perfect time. Reality is doom, anyway.

Vaitarana – "Sunsets," from Sunsets Waterfalls (Post-Black Metal/Blackgaze – Total Dissonance Worship). One does not expect TDW to release blackgaze. Not because TDW lack taste or daring, they have both in spades, but because, well, if you've been following their catalog, that's just something they don't do. So, the rule goes, if they did choose to release an EP of exactly that, then it might just be great. And it is. From the tormented soul that brought you Owl, a blaze of shocking gold out of the blue skies. Pretty, urgent, and sweeping.

Décryptal – "Zisurru," from Simulacre (Death Metal – Rotted Life). It was death metal with which we began, and it is death metal with which we end. Funnily enough I may not have written about the wonderful debut demo from these French Canadian monsters, but I in fact enjoyed it very much (even got the tape). And so a debut full length of their old school riffage onslaught was very good news, and upon listening to the first and basically perfect single, still more exciting news to come when this beast is released in full. Aggressive, atmospheric, and catchy as all hell, with some heavy Vastum vibes. Vastum vibes are always a good thing.

FIVE MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

ONE: Car Bomb are coming back with a new EP.

TWO: Festerdecay, AKA one of the best goregrind acts this side of Pharmacist, signed to Relapse and are prepping a new album.

THREE: Galvanist, the wonderful Montana-based black metal project, are coming with a new album, new single here.

FOUR: Want more sick death metal? Clairvoyance.

FIVE: New album coming from In the Company of Serpents (sludge).

ONE LAST THING, PROMISE: Keep safe.