Welcome back to our monthly 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, J.C.L, X.K..and P.S., are currently listening to.
Authors note: Since Denmark is currently subject of the Koda/Google talks, many of our favorite artists are restricted from Danish viewers on YouTube. As such, we will be using Bandcamp-links where necessary.
J.C.L.
Sunken - Livslede 
The New Zealand black metal scene is small, yet incredibly potent, as proven by acts like Diocletian, Witchrist and Vassafor, and with many of these bands sharing members at one time or the other, these bands share many common characteristics. While Diocletian's comeback-effort from last year was a disappointment, Vassafor's newest album from earlier this August To The Death has salvaged much from their compatriots: Blistering ferocity and rabid chaos, especially from their great album Gesundrian. Expect no mercy from this occult black/death act.
P.S.
Down started as a side project with Phil Anselmo and Pepper Keenan that demoed the songs Losing all, Temptations Wings and the future signature song of the band Bury Me in Smoke. At the time they where both in other bands, Phil in Pantera and Pepper in Corrosion of Conformity, and they brought the demos out on tour with them, where they gave them away to fans and other bands, not telling them that this was their own band. Eventually, the word of mouth got around, which eventually created a buzz around this band. When the full line-up of the band was put together it was referred to as a "Super Group" of the southern sludge metal. Besides Phil and Pepper, the original lineup had Rex Brown from Pantera on bass, Crowbar-frontman Kirk Windstein on guitar and Jimmy Bower from Eyehategod on drums. After recording and releasing NOLA in 1994, the album has since become classic in the sludge genre. In my opinion, no summer, beer and good times are complete without NOLA.
This week I have REALLY been enjoying some good times satanic speed metal from one of the best bands to do it right now. Midnight is really only a band when they tour, because all the music is record by one man, Athenar. Midnight was a side project for the first eight years of the bands existence and he just released EP's and splits for fun with other bands. Satanic Royatly, like pretty much all of Midnight's albums gets you pumped up and the adrenaline starts kicking. If you are a fan of bands such has Motorhead and Venom, this is the band for you!
X.K
Ayr - The Dark
About thirty-seven minutes can do so much, The Dark has done so much in no time and all the inner reactions this album brings out has a greater impact on me. It has been 8 years since the duo behind this atmospheric and dark ambient treasure has released anything new, but for the time being this was more than I could ever ask for. So if you are into a variety between raw/ambient black metal that changes up during the record, this is a must listening to.
Currently looking forward to:
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Pthumerian Queen - Roddin Øxarinnar
This beauty was just released by the black and doom duo about two days ago, and already it has grown on me. The mixture between pure atmospheric guitar parts, these deeper industrial vocals and almost non-exciting doom triggering drums, the entire single has brought themselves into a huge experimental and outstanding universe. As stated by the artists, this was a taste of what to come and they will go back to finish the rest of the album.
Sunken - Livslede
One of the most inspiring Danish black metal bands shows once again how deeply natural their creativity becomes much more than music. With the already released single ‘Ensomhed’ the direction of the upcoming record takes steps into their new path where their growth appears strongly. This release is highly recommended.
Listened to this week:
Wandar - Zyklus
Next week I will be visiting Germany for one of the only outdoor festivals this year, Fimbul Festival. This festival has a lot of black metal bands to offer and one of them is these German guys, Wandar, that released their second album Zyklus last year. Their music takes us through a trip filled with atmospheric instrumental parts with a touch of solitude and pain within the screams. If you like Silencer or Lifelover, Wandar is just what you are looking for.
Horna - Kasteessa Kirottu This record offers seven special tracks that were never recorded before. These tracks go way back from days before their first demo “Varjoissa” back in 1995, towards the year 1999. This album is not seen as a newly released record, but the material on it strongly radiates Horna and their known sound and style.
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