A few songs that wonder out loud if people just live through shit regardless of the world tumbling down around them Jul 6 – 12

Hi there, 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.

Beannachd Leibh – "Allegiance to Theia," from Walking in His Works Avant-Garde Black Metal – Independent). I know we're all in the hyperbole biz, and I also know there's premium on "found talent" in this Bandcamp world of weirdo metal, and so I am trying to rein in those tendencies when I say that based on just the one track available right now from this debut full length I will firmly and irresponsibly say it's easiest one of the best, most interesting discoveries I have made this year and just generally one of my favorite tracks to have come out this year, period. I am currently on my fourth straight listen, and I suggest you join the ride. Imagine the synthed-out Krallice albums merging with the blasting Krallice albums. Yes, I said that.

Suicide Forest – "Consumed," by Sorrow from Mourning Star (Depressive Black Metal – Lifesick Lullaby). Some would say "what's the deal with creating minor. melancholy black metal that sounds like a swinging rope?" And I might agree, but facts are it's hard to make that sounds as beautiful and as grand (looking at you Psychonaut 4) as it can. And this is basically that basic formula but executed (are suicidal puns ok?) to perfection. The feeling, the pace, the riffs that feel spread thin like a death shroud. Just mesmerizing and beautiful. 

Minerva Hoyt – "Untitled 2 (Demo)," from Demo (Mathcore – Independent). This is as raw as it gets, lady and gents. Demos are a thing that used to be an object, an indication of low budgets and creative opportunities. Demos are still a thing, often marked by primitive, rough production and preliminary, unfinished ideas. But demos, then and now, can also be the opportunity to present an ill-born beauty into the world, a genre of music, a way of thinking. Those demos don't come often – great music doesn't come often in general – but when they do it's magic. This is magic. 

Theurgion – "The Storm," from All Under Heaven (Melodic Death Doom Metal – Profound Lore Records). Another death doom classic seems to have loomed over the horizon, out of nowhere. There are many souls at work here, Alex Poole (every good band on earth), Rory Flay (Osgraef, Collier d'Ombre), and the drumming and musicianship of L.C. (Häxanu), coming together to fashion some blessed 90s death doom that, as with basically every project Poole is involved with in any capacity) magically straddles the line between beautiful, arresting melodies and the darkest of dark darknesses. This makes me both melancholy and inspired and immediately reach for my favorite Paradise Lost albums.

Thra – "Blistering Eternity," from Forged in Chaotic Spew (Death Metal – Translation Loss Records). So, this band of which I had never heard released a killer new live EP, really great stuff and a great live recording. So, that was nice. And then I went ahead and checked out the preceding album, which is this 2023 releases, and discovered a death metal gem. I'm sure some/many of you may have already known about this, but I surely did not. The riffs are incredible, the momentum and thrust is undeniable, and the creative twists and turns are mesmerizing. Thrown in a few ambient segues and I'm sold all the way down the river of death.

Feral Lord – "Raido," from Wunjo (Atmospheric Black Metal – Independent). The talented duo responsible for Feral Lord but for so much (so, so much) incredible music (Acausal Intrusion, Nothing is Real) is back. Well, back again. And while they are always brilliant and different, there's something about this newest release that feels less intense, less insane, less unhinged and, at the very same time, perhaps the very best, or at least at the top of the their heap o' music. I've noticed them promoting this new album via social media as "raw" and savage. It isn't that to me, perhaps because I am, as many already know, so, so raw and savage already. It feels beautiful, and sleek (in the good way), and cohesive, and, above all, emotionally transcendent. This has been a banner year for the atmo stuff, and I would not be at all surprised to see this one from Feral Lord slowly climb all the way to the summit.

Nuvolascura – "Why We Never Returned to the Moon," from How This All Ends (Screamo – Zegema Beach Records). It's been a good while – five years, to be exact – since L.A. screamers have graced us with some quality time. Last time it was one of my favorite albums of that years. And this time, well, it might be that again. Like applying pressure onto a blackhead/zit of emotion and getting sprayed with pain puss accompanied by some pretty beautiful melodic lines and overall amazing performances. Yes.

Vanagandr – "Sundown Raids," from Felled Yew (Black Metal – Fiadh Records). This week in another installment of "very much enjoying a record and finding out Fiadh had already released it" we have this menacing, barking-and-biting scary dog of black metal from Vanagandr. Those who frequent this cesspool of a website already know my aversion of black metal that just sounds like black metal, with a few exceptions. This is one such exception. It feels raw and "authentic" and all those words that make people who love black metal happy, but it's also very pretty in moments and dramatic in that good, uncringy way. Very cool.

Syrvante – "Tresche Au Diable," from Malaventure (Medieval/Experimental – Baddoar). I was quite confident I was going to write about the Dan Meyer album from earlier this year, but I'll mention it in the info section (check it out, for sure). It does not appear here, however, since I was entranced by this wonderful release that made me feel like I was wearing sheepskin pants, smelled horribly, and probably died a decade or two ago because of a bad tooth. At least we had the tunes, aye?

FIVE MORE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

ONE: A lot to get to this week, but the crown jewel of them all is: The new Suffering Hour album is a-coming.

TWO: Do not neglect to check out the new Floating album that was released this weekend. Here's the interview I did with them a few months back.

THREE: Speglas, one of my favorite projects these past few years, and one with deep ties to my absolute favorite – Sweven – are gearing up to releases their debut full length. Great news. Check them out, if you haven't already. Read my interview with them from a few years back here.

FOUR: Cave In remasters/reissues are here.

FIVE: Regarding the aforementioned Dan Meyer record: It's great. Didn't check it out when it came out since I just didn't, but did not (following the announcement of a new Agriculture album) and fucking love it. 

ONE LAST THING, PROMISE: New Déhà Always listen to Déhà.