Metal To Go: Under/Current (March)

Welcome to a new Metal To Go segment, UNDER/CURRENT

Here we will cover the music we currently find inspirational, the music we look forward to in the near future, and what we are currently listening to. We hope to cover this on a monthly basis. 

X.K

Currently inspirational:
Forndom - Faþir

In many ways, Forndom is an exceptional gift to the world of music and with yet another big release “Faþir” has reached immense heights within my personal preferences for folk music. We’ve already seen a couple of tracks out from the record but as a whole, these seven tracks put the state of mind through the ambient ritualistic touch of Scandinavian folk captured in the structure of the album.

Red - Declaration

My affection for Red started back from “End of Silence” that opened a new world for my at the time teenage ears. Each release has since topped the other even if it was impossible and this record continues their endless abilities that inspire so many.

Currently looking forward to:
Udånde - Life of a Purist

Last week the newly one-man project released upon the world the first track from the forthcoming debut album. The already announced track offers a huge soundscape followed by a memorable atmospheric note that is very promising within its writing and production.


Listened to this Week:

Back to Red that I have had the absolute pleasure of reuniting with. The American nu-metal project has always had a special effect on me with the emotional and intense vocals, crunchy guitars, and melodic parts that speak so well to me through life.

J.L.:

Currently inspirational:
Drown - Subaqueous

One of the most inspirational doom metal efforts of the better part of 5 years, it truly encapsulates the feeling of being under water, in the deep sea. I've already covered this album in detail, and it's almost certain it will have a spot on my year's top 10-list. With it’s deep soundscape and incredibly melancholic melodies, I cannot recommend this album enough.

Lurker of Chalice - Tellurian Slaked Furnace

I've had mixed feelings of this album, made out of previously unused tracks, and a couple of alterations of already released material. Yet while going for a walk a few days ago in the early morning, I had an epiphany. Listening to this album, especially tracks V though IX made for a truly surreal experience. Imagine if you will the early morning sun, coupled with the deserted streets and otherwise serene neighborhood and this soundscape comes on... It felt like a sort of post-apocalyptic acid trip. I guess I can actually thank Corona-virus for this(!)

Currently looking forward to:
Oranssi Pazuzu - Mestarin Kynsi
We’ve already seen a single from the upcoming Mestarin kynsi album due for release the 17th of April 2020. It bodes very promising indeed, but Oranssi Pazuzu, at least to my ears, is an experience reserved for the entirety of the album, so I’ll see if every dot is connected as it was on Värätehlijä. I have high hopes, don’t let me down!


Listened to this Week:
Ruins of Beverast - Unlock the Shrine

There is just the right amount of magic sauce to draw me back to this album again and again. I could go on about the colossal soundscapes, the ambient interludes and the dark high-medieval atmosphere oozing from this masterpiece. Instead, I will invite you to (re)listen to “Unlock the Shrine”

Molchat Doma - Etazhi

Today’s non-metal recommendation is from Belarus, and is for fans of The Cure, Depeche Mode and Joy Division. It’s everything that you love about 80’s synthwave -  in Russian. I don’t understand many words, but I get this albums vibe, and what it’s trying to tell the listener. It’s hard not to feel anything with songs like “Tancevat” and “Kletka”, who while simple in instrumentation, is more than the sum of their combined parts..