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:
This month has been full of surprises. Having tried to catch up on a few more albums I’ve missed, I was recommended this little gem by Second To Sun. Don’t let the somewhat questionable song-titles fool you; beneath them are a hard hitting ferocious beast of Russian black metal, with both dissonant and symphonic elements, without the latter becoming too cheesy or dominant. Leviathan leaves restrained synths in the background at select moments, and let the dynamic guitar melodies and primitive palm muted “chugs” lead the charge through this sonic nightmarish journey.
Sertraline - The streetlight was all we needed
I’m usually not much of a Post-insert-genre-here guy, but once a blue moon, something comes along and hits all the right buttons. This time it was the aptly named Sertraline with the companion for you winter-depression; this compilation of their previous EP’s. With a soundscape as grey, misty and depressive as the cover leads you to expect, this is music that you will feel in your soul, if you have experience with solitude and melancholy. The Streetlight Was All We Needed is available for "Name your price", so there is no excuse to not pick it up, which you should consider doing (and donate) if you enjoy bands like Altar of Plagues and Fen
Currently looking forward to:
This German one-man juggernaut is one that I follow intensely, as his brand of black and doom metal have often ensnared my attention over the years. Since the last full-length in 2017, Exuvia, The Ruins Of Beverast have started to reverb with a broader crowd, also thanks to the latest splits which were very promising indeed. The Thule Grimoires is scheduled for a 5th of February release on Ván Records, and the two available tracks shows us hints of a band that’s perhaps leaning more on the doom metal aspects, with heavy inspiration from Type O Negative. I'm considering a review for this, so stay tuned...
Listened to this week:
I’ve just stumbled upon the new project Thermohaline, which I am still listening to as of writing these lines, and already I am very impressed by this international outfit spanning 4 countries. There are multiple layers to Maelström, which I’ve only started to grasp, and will require further listening, but expect the unexpected, ye who enter here. Think you are in for some regular dissonant black metal with an ocean theme? Yeah, have some surprise accordion and Igorrr-inspired electronics to spice your day. This is something I’ll look for, bands that aren’t afraid to break the mold, surprise the listener and deliver an experience that’s just the right amount of alien, leaving you wondering "Where the hell did that come from?!" and guaranteeing numerous replays.
Here is a lesson to upcoming bands; When you have made your “masterpiece”, go and invest in a good and appropriate cover artwork to go with your music. As much as I like to personally say “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”, the truth is that without something to catch the eye, the attached ears are less likely to listen to an album. Swedish Malakhim have learned this lesson fortunately, and their dissonant and chaotic black metal on their debut full-length, Theion more than lived up to the artwork. There really isn’t much more to say; Go and listen to it right now, if you haven’t already.
X.K.
Currently inspirational:
This year already starts out with incredible releases like this one, probably the best thing I've heard this year so far. 2019 was my year of discovering this guy and his insane way of presenting riff after riff taken the mind through a trip of its own like suddenly I forget everything and just stare blankly out in the air. The combination of that haunting feeling and the french as f*** vocals are just insane. This is definitely one to remember! Favorite song: L'Apostasie
These Californian based beasts released this 4th album earlier this month. Fully living up to their previous chaos, this album provides faster and a more melodic attitude with riffs heavier than the other trails on the border between black and death metal. Production vise this release show a markedly better sound in every way which captures incredibly well. Favorite song: Crowned with Rancor and Scorn
Currently looking forward to:
...Not to forget the new merch they just put out for pre-order, among an incredible print on the longsleeve.
Listened to this week:
I still remember my very first listen to this album on the very release date already as time flies a little under two years ago. These Swedes hit me hard with this album that was a hell of a good follow-upper on their until this day best release 'Absence'. The atmospheric and symphonic style is just so so underrated here and I wished many more could appreciate it. Give it a listen if you haven't already cause they will sweep you off the ground if you're into symphonic black metal.
Favorite song: Unalterable
These days I miss live experiences more than ever like probably so many others. One of my usual yearly gatherings is Wacken Open Air, and when I think back on my many times there, there is always one live show that really stands out for me. As for being in the front row which I for some stupid reason don't do much anymore Rammstein just knows how to provide their audience a good time. Back in 2013, I had my hands-tied to the fence up front screaming my lungs out knowing every part of the setlist with this particular greatest hits album. This week took me back to those times a little trip down Rammstein lane!
P.S.
Currently inspirational:
This month I have been inspired by a band that have made a masterpiece of a death-doom album, Denver-based Spectral Voice. The album, Eroded Corridors of Unbeing, is otherworldly in every sense of the word. It truly sounds like something from another universe; it's cold, evil and gloomy. The band stikes a perfect balance between slow doom riffs, combined with high screams and good old-school solid riffs that kicks in just when things are getting maybe just a little bit too doomy, which makes sure to grab your attention so you don't slumber to much in the void of doom.
Currently looking forward to:
The album that I am looking forward to this month is the new Melvins album, Working With God. Now with the Melvins, you truly don't know what you are going to get and this new album has me really excited, because it seems to go back to the era of the band that I am the biggest fan of and the is the era when they released their classic albums Ozma, Bullhead and Houdini. So if you are a fan of weird experimental heavy music, then this is for you. Working With God releases 26th of February
Listened to this week:
This week I have indeed gone back to my black metal roots and to a band and a man that I think has one of the most original black metal sounds. Hoest is the guy behind Taake, where he plays all the instruments on all the albums and an incredible raw voice that really sounds like pure darkness. When live, the band is just incredible, Hoest demands your attention all the time and is one of the best frontmen I have ever seen live. Music-wise, this is best exemplified by Noregs Vaapen; raw black metal at its best without keyboard or anything but the true hate and raw power that makes black metal so empowering.
Kommentarer
Send en kommentar