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).
Currently inspirational:
Death metal, especially the more technical kind, has a hard time impressing me, especially since many bands seem to be perpetually stuck in the mid-00’s wave of blasts and shredding. That said, I still listen to some ugly old-school stuff or more harmonic and modern death, and Ænigmatum is firmly the latter. Deconsecrate is only their second full-length, and it is an absolute joyride from start to finish, with a great flow, great atmosphere and a crisp production, which lets all instruments shine. Of particular note are the great prog bass-lines and the guitar-work which would be right at home in Gothenburg. A must for death metal connoisseurs
- J.C.L.
From the very first couple of minutes, french black metal vibes blasted through me like a cold windy breeze, which might just describe this entire first EP, Urchig, that represents this rather unknown project. Nothing can quite take my breath away like a cold atmospheric piece of music so discovering this was golden. During its thirty minutes of freezing wintry, it takes us to my favorite time of the year. The feeling of frost on the skin while making our way through a snowstorm covers the first two songs were the third and last blasts flashes of Vargrav’s “Netherstorm”, with a more melodic twist to it. Cool yourself down during these hot times and listen to Disparaître.
Kalmankantaja - Waeltaja
- X.K.
Definitely one of the most forthcoming Finnish projects that time after time breathes releases out like no other. During my trip to Finland a little over a week ago for the Steelhordes festival we didn’t see it coming for them to be added to the lineup at the very last minute, but what a surprise. This must be their 19th full album since 2011, which stands just as tall as much else on their discography. If you’re not familiar with Kalmankantaja take the worthy path into a depressive and atmospheric ambient black metal nature that will give you.. especially with Waeltaja, an ice-cold experience!
- X.K.
Obituary - Cause of Death
Currently I’ve gone back to the old death metal from Obituary and their classic album Cause of Death. This album is just full of death metal grooves and from listening back on it, I get why this album is so beloved by fans worldwide. From guttural vocals all the way to the drums, it all keeps you in the same groove throughout the whole album with a couple of surprises along the way, like the tempo shifts from slow to fast. The band and the album came out of the Florida scene and helped make it what it is today and this album will always be recommendable.
Currently I’ve gone back to the old death metal from Obituary and their classic album Cause of Death. This album is just full of death metal grooves and from listening back on it, I get why this album is so beloved by fans worldwide. From guttural vocals all the way to the drums, it all keeps you in the same groove throughout the whole album with a couple of surprises along the way, like the tempo shifts from slow to fast. The band and the album came out of the Florida scene and helped make it what it is today and this album will always be recommendable.
- P.S.
Ushangvagush - Mntu
Native American Black Metal is thankfully a thing, and it’s little wonder that many frustrated musicians have turned to metal as an outlet for their frustrations and struggles. Ushangvagush is a one-man project based in the Northeast of America, utilizing the native Mi'kmaq language as the medium on the debut full-length Mntu, which was recently released. The sound is overall on the more raw, vicious and warped side, not unlike early Leviathan and mid-era Darkthrone, and laden with smaller haunting melodies, which are easy to miss on the first listen. A standing recommendation from me, definitely worth your time, even if you struggle with your first listen.
Iskandr - Vergezicht
The Dutch pagan black duo Iskandr are back with their third album Vergezicht. Following up their massive Euprosopon from 2018 is a hard feat, as this monumental album was one to behold. Fortunately the released single Bloeddraad is of a high caliber, yet showcasing some changes in sound, moving more towards melodic and atmospheric black metal from their previous efforts, if anything losing a bit of the cavernous sound that characterized them. Nonetheless, the Dutch black metal scene is one of the most interesting to dive into at the moment. Vergezicht releases on the 24th of September.
Lvcifyre - The Broken Seal
English occult blasphemers Lvcifyre are back with their third full album The Broken Seal. The band has already released the title track as a single, and it's a glorious page straight from mid-era Morbid Angel, assaulting the listener in a barrage of machine-gun drumming, fast tremolo-riffs and demonic melodies weaving an atmosphere of cacophonous malice. If the rest of the album is as good as this onslaught, then this will be one of the most solid releases you will hear this year. The Broken Seal releases on the 10th of September from Dark Descend records
Vortex of End - Abhorrent Fervor
I have been itching for some really hateful and fast black metal to raise my spirits, and thankfully Vortex of End seems to answer my prayer with their forthcoming fourth album Abhorrent Fervor. The single Sovereign Wrath is as potent and biting as these Frenchmen's previous outputs, and the quiet ominous synth-section in the middle is a suspenseful addition, which lends itself well to the overall malicious soundscape. I am intrigued and waiting for the 24th of September, when Abhorrent Fervor releases.
Fossilization - He Whose Name Was Long Forgotten
I really have a soft spot for slower death metal, from original purveyors like Autopsy to more modern bands like Dead Congregation. Fossilization is a Brazilian band which follows much in the same vein as aforementioned, and with this year’s debut-EP He Whose Name Was Long Forgotten, they have come in force. While only 25 minutes long, this is a concentrated dose of festering and fetid death metal, which should not be missed.
Khandra - All Occupied by Sole Death
Superjoint Ritual - A Lethal Dose of American Hatred
This week I have been listening to Superjoint Ritual, which in my opinion just doesn't get enough recognition. While Down is by many considered the supergroup out of sludge, and I can agree on that, yet Superjoint Ritual is a close second in my opinion. The band are so good at mixing sludge with hardcore punk, especially on their 2003 album A Lethal Dose of American Hatred. The guitar play of Jimmy Bower and Kevin Bond is brilliant, and in my opinion Phil Ansalmo lays down some of his best vocal performances of his career.
Native American Black Metal is thankfully a thing, and it’s little wonder that many frustrated musicians have turned to metal as an outlet for their frustrations and struggles. Ushangvagush is a one-man project based in the Northeast of America, utilizing the native Mi'kmaq language as the medium on the debut full-length Mntu, which was recently released. The sound is overall on the more raw, vicious and warped side, not unlike early Leviathan and mid-era Darkthrone, and laden with smaller haunting melodies, which are easy to miss on the first listen. A standing recommendation from me, definitely worth your time, even if you struggle with your first listen.
- J.C.L.
Iron Maiden - Senjutsu
I am really looking forward to the new album from the legendary British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Senjutsu will be a double album with some long songs, in fact three songs go past 10 min and I am sure that I, as a big fan of Maiden, will not be disappointed. Senjutsu drops on the 3rd of September.
Currently looking forward to:
I am really looking forward to the new album from the legendary British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Senjutsu will be a double album with some long songs, in fact three songs go past 10 min and I am sure that I, as a big fan of Maiden, will not be disappointed. Senjutsu drops on the 3rd of September.
You can check the videos for the singles Stratego and The Writing on the Wall.
- P.S.
- J.C.L.
English occult blasphemers Lvcifyre are back with their third full album The Broken Seal. The band has already released the title track as a single, and it's a glorious page straight from mid-era Morbid Angel, assaulting the listener in a barrage of machine-gun drumming, fast tremolo-riffs and demonic melodies weaving an atmosphere of cacophonous malice. If the rest of the album is as good as this onslaught, then this will be one of the most solid releases you will hear this year. The Broken Seal releases on the 10th of September from Dark Descend records
- J.C.L.
I have been itching for some really hateful and fast black metal to raise my spirits, and thankfully Vortex of End seems to answer my prayer with their forthcoming fourth album Abhorrent Fervor. The single Sovereign Wrath is as potent and biting as these Frenchmen's previous outputs, and the quiet ominous synth-section in the middle is a suspenseful addition, which lends itself well to the overall malicious soundscape. I am intrigued and waiting for the 24th of September, when Abhorrent Fervor releases.
- J.C.L.
Listened to this week:
I really have a soft spot for slower death metal, from original purveyors like Autopsy to more modern bands like Dead Congregation. Fossilization is a Brazilian band which follows much in the same vein as aforementioned, and with this year’s debut-EP He Whose Name Was Long Forgotten, they have come in force. While only 25 minutes long, this is a concentrated dose of festering and fetid death metal, which should not be missed.
- J.C.L.
Hænesy - Garabontzia
It's beyond me how I missed this Hungarian group's newest output back in February when it released. Thankfully, I found out, and got to listen to Hænesy's newest epic post-black masterpiece Garabontzia. This album's sound takes you places, like a velvet smooth dream, filled with emotional peaks and chasms, and even the odd surprises. The sound-layers, carried by the guitars are absolutely phenomenal and the distant distortion that are the vocals is just the cherry on top for this piece. Sit back and enjoy the ride for this album.
- J.C.L.
Belarus is home to a small, young, yet booming scene of metal bands. Khandra is a part of that, and have recently released their debut full length All Occupied by Sole Death. Taking a step up from their previous two EP’s is a hard feat, even as these EP’s were very promising in themselves and still remain worth checking too. All Occupied By Sole Death continues their modern take on black metal, with one downside being some filler moments. Don’t let that discourage you from diving into Khandra’s discography though, as it is well worth your time.
- J.C.L.
This week I have been listening to Superjoint Ritual, which in my opinion just doesn't get enough recognition. While Down is by many considered the supergroup out of sludge, and I can agree on that, yet Superjoint Ritual is a close second in my opinion. The band are so good at mixing sludge with hardcore punk, especially on their 2003 album A Lethal Dose of American Hatred. The guitar play of Jimmy Bower and Kevin Bond is brilliant, and in my opinion Phil Ansalmo lays down some of his best vocal performances of his career.
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