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. We encourage you to check out the artists with the links provided in the texts (Marked in yellow).
J.C.L.
Currently Inspirational:
Where do I even start with this behemoth of an album? Kaleikr's debut from back in 2019 brings a progressive edge to death and black metal, which in the case of the latter can be hard to find at the best of times, so that immediately got my attention. The arrangements are monumental, the instrumentation likewise, especially the drums and the guitars, and Stephen Lockhart's mix and mastering makes sure that Heart of Lead stands toe to toe with much bigger and established bands. Kaleikr is a band, which I will keep my eyes on, and if you find bands such as Opeth and Enslaved interesting, you might want to check this Icelandic duo out. Shout-out to Valnoir's artwork for once again dazzling my eyes and leading me to a good listening experience.
Grifteskymfning - Bedrövelsens härd
I owe a big thanks to a friend who introduced me to Grifteskymfning and this album, because this is old-school Norwegian-style black metal done the way I like it. It has much of the melodies and soundscape, which I come to bands like Gehenna and Covenant for, and a bit of that Moonfog Productions-magic in it's guitar-tone, which I miss dearly. This album is one album I'm glad I managed to pick up on the same year it was released, because this is solid AOTY-material, and I will give it my firmest recommendation, from start to finish. But if you are in a hurry, tracks like Hadstjerne and Lad ondt spire fra dybet should tease your interest.
Currently looking forward to:
Oh yes, this is the big one, the final challenger, and probably addition, to many Album-of-the-year-lists. Many have waited for the return of Akhlys to follow up the 2015 colossal effort that was The Dreaming I. Already this album has leaked, and in response, the band has uploaded Melinoë in it's entirety, but I'm gonna wait until the intended release-date of the 14th December from Debetur Morti Productions, before diving into the fray. However, judging by the teaser singles, we are in for a nightmarish smattering of biblical proportions, and a worthy successor to The Dreaming I. Time will tell..
It's been 16 years since this old school death metal band has released a full-length, so understandably many ears are eagerly awaiting what Anders Odden and co. can deliver more since their EP earlier this year. Being a known death metal band in a country known for it's black metal is an achievement, and while the two singles from Edder & Bile, Morgue Ritual and Reborn seems to lean close to their old days, when they co-conspired with Carcass and Carnage, I am personally hoping for just a drop of that frantic Death/Thrash that was the Cadaver Inc.-period for this band, of which I am a fan.
Edder & Bile releases the 27th of November from Nuclear Blast.
There has been an explosion of interesting and great metal acts coming from the low countries lately, like Wiegedood, Fluisteraars, Urfaust and Oros Kau. Serpents Oath joins this wave with their debut LP Nihil, which is set for release on the 4th of December by Soulseller Records, and already two singles are available. The band is composed of a trio of experienced extreme metallers from Belgium, who promises no remorse and relentless and nihilistic black metal, with a sound which I would think fans of Mayhem and Dark Funeral would enjoy.
Listened to this week:
At Metal To Go, I try to bring some music to your attention, which you might have missed. This new Chicago-based one man-project was brought to my attention, and it's been one of the most rewarding experiences this year, with lots of melancholic and detail-driven guitar, a bass which isn't afraid to make itself noticed, and hard-hitting drums. There are some elements from other USBM-acts in the soundscape, but Uthullun doesn't fall into any pitfalls with this debut, and keeps the soundscape interesting and unique enough for me to keep coming back. Major tracks include Penitence, Pyre and the closing track Down The Rivers Of Spilled Blood.
Dark Buddha Rising - Mathreyata
Finnish lords of psychedelic drone Dark Buddha Rising are back with a new offering titled Mathreyata released by Svart Records a few weeks ago. Obviously, it's a slow and dark affair, but this time these traits feel even more empathized, at times it almost sounds like a lost YOB/Oranssi Pazuzu-compilation, but one thing is certain; it's one of those albums where you set aside an hour to take it all in. The atmosphere and hypnotic rhythmic repetitions combined with the dark melodies and almost inhuman vocals makes for an otherworldly experience, guaranteed to give the most hardened stoner a good soul-searching.
Molchat Doma - Monument
This has been a great month for music. One of my favorite non-metal acts Molchat Doma released their third album Monument, which takes the band towards new horizons. While the band is firmly grounded in early 80's new wave and post-punk, Monument has taken the band more in the direction of synthpop akin to Depeche Mode, New Order and Kraftwerk (Especially the opening track and Discoteque). Such a progression feels natural and dynamic to these Belorussians, while they still hold on to the minimalist instrumentation and melancholic tunes that characterized their previous album Etazhi, and made it the hit it is.
P.S.
Currently Inspirational:
Electric Wizard are a British stoner doom band, by many considered to be one of the biggest bands of the British doom scene since Cathedral years before them. Dopethrone was released back in November 2000 by Rise Above records, that was founded by Lee Dorian (of Napalm Death and Cathedral fame), and has since become a classic album. Lead singer and mastermind Jus Oborn said about the album they were a three piece band at the time this album was released, but have since added a second guitarist to the band and expanded a bit on their sound, while still keeping it all about the occult, H.P. Lovecraft and horror movies. Other release you shout check out; Come My Fanatics, Witchcult Today and Black Mass
Currently looking forward to:
Gama Bomb - Sea Savage
If you are a fan of good times party thrash metal like Municipal Waste or Iron Reagan, with just a hint of NWOBHM, Gama Bomb might have the November-release for you with their upcoming album Sea Savage. With tons of references to sci-fi action movies in the lyrics, such as the song “She is not my mother, Todd!”, you’re in for a good time and a bit of jackassery from this Irish band. Sea Savage releases the 4th of December from Prosthetic Records.
Listened to this week:
I have been listening to this album on repeat, not just because it’s short, but also because it rips in such a way that I've rarely heard before. Nails is a three piece and play a furious version of hardcore mixed with grindcore and death metal, which lends to an extreme sound. The album is produced by Kurt Ballou and he does a great job of bringing forth the chaos that is the sound of Nails. He doesn’t take anything away from the extreme assault of riffs that is the core of their sound, brings it all together and makes it so that there is some sort of fine line in the music, where it is going. Ballou does what I think he does better than just about anybody today, he makes the bands and their sound perfect.
X.K.
Currently Inspirational:
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It has almost been half a year since the release of this extraordinary album that from the very first interest became heart-rending. The whole album has a paralyzing effect that sets the thoughts in motion and stops the time around you. Misty blows and landscaping enchantments crawls lively upon the body to huge epic soundscapes covering the fix of an atmospheric-junkie.
Currently looking forward to:
This Danish admired project will release a new song on December 1st. Taken from the name it offers bitterly cold winter breezes taken you off the cliff. The atmospheric and dramatic guitar playthrough ties its passage around the vocals lifting every intense part to numb its discomfort. Best thing I've heard all week.
Coverart painted by the Danish painter Peder Mønsted (1859-1941)
A debut EP will see the light of day on the 4th of December. The Finnish duo presents a total of five-tracks that proceed towards a melodic, epic, and more catchy universe. On the drawing board the experimental trail builts each song heftier than the other, taking this record to cosmic heights.
Coverart by Kristina Pavleska.
Listened to this week:
I have been a long time listener of this depressive affair that back in 2012 liberated this record. The opening track ‘Fri fra denne verden’ delivers a cinematic horror experience the first four minutes or so, warming the record up for the melancholy dismal vibrations that surround their appearance.
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