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:
I have followed Defacement for some time with interest since I listened to their debut album Deviant. In what can only be described as an onslaught of the senses, this Dutch death/black outfit blew me away back then, and are now back with the sophomore and eponymous album. In what is probably one of the most graphic cover-arts of this year, Defacement have summarized everything their album will do and does do to you, and even manages to surpass the debut from time to time. I especially like the alternating songs and atmospheric interludes of the track list. While the debut will always have a special place, this is a worthy successor.
Serpent Column - Katartisis
- J.C.L.
High on Fire - Luminiferous
I have been really inspired by High on Fire’s Luminiferous. This album is in my opinion one of their best albums and have spawned some new classic songs like Slave the Hive which has become a standard on the band's setlist when they play live. The album itself comes with great heavy sludgy riffs like only High on Fire can deliver and every song on this album is awesome. Tther tracks that are highlights on this album are The Falconist and The Black Plot, so if you are in to big riffs and don't know this band yet, check this album out, you won't be disappointed.
I have been really inspired by High on Fire’s Luminiferous. This album is in my opinion one of their best albums and have spawned some new classic songs like Slave the Hive which has become a standard on the band's setlist when they play live. The album itself comes with great heavy sludgy riffs like only High on Fire can deliver and every song on this album is awesome. Tther tracks that are highlights on this album are The Falconist and The Black Plot, so if you are in to big riffs and don't know this band yet, check this album out, you won't be disappointed.
- P.S.
Where do I start with this one-man monster? Consistently releasing at least once a year should usually wear down an artist, and yet Serpent Column consistently releases quality metal and keeps moving like a freight train. Katartisis is the latest EP from this project, and while still deeply in the vein of masters like Deathspell Omega, this is a dose of technical avant-garde black metal, with a hint of grind that hits all the right tangents for my taste. A blistering and chaotic release that dares to challenge the unprepared listener who enter its domain.
Teitan - Vákuum
- J.C.L.
Teitan is a solo act, once again from the Netherlands, and this recent EP was a trip! The flow on this little chaotic Dutch gem is nothing less than stellar, carrying the listener from one spectacular moment to the next, like a trip through celestial carnage. At no point does Vákuum lose focus and remains ever dynamic, especially the torrent of drums, which really carries some punch. The production value is also off the charts, and every instrument are clearly present and discernible, making this a very potent and hard-hitting EP!
- J.C.L.
Full of Hell - Garden of Burning Apparitions
This month I am REALLY looking forward to the new album by Full of Hell titled Garden of Burning Apparitions. If the singles that have been put out from the album is any indication of what the rest of the album sounds like then oh boy, we are in for another great piece of noise grindcore that will be one of a kind, just like all of their other albums are. Garden of Burning Apparitions is released on the 1st of October.
Gloosh - Sylvan Coven
Another one-man army, Gloosh is back with his second full-length offering from the Siberian Woodlands, titled Sylvan Coven. Obviously the fluorescent colors are an eye-catcher, but also the two currently available tracks are equally candy for the ears, showing excellent songcrafting skills and an ability to captivate the listener and draw them into their realm with. You should absolutely check Sylvan Coven out when it drops the 1st of October, and especially if you are into more organic-sounding and atmospheric black metal.
Sol Sistere - Sol Sistere
Chile is at the forefront of a wave of very talented metal bands currently, which have largely escaped attention outside of South America. A damn shame as there is a lot of really excellent metal from these parts like Exanimatvm, Siaskel and perhaps most well-known Unaussprechlichen Kulten. Returning for a third full-length soon are Sol Sistere with a self-titled effort, this has a very aggressive, yet ethereal and haunting sound, which seems appropriate given the lyrical subjects of human collapse, self-destruction and the future in balance.
Sol Sistere drops on the 15th of October.
Aorlhac - Pierres Brûlées
Bølzer - Aura
This week I have been listening to this Swiss two piece band, that really can make big sounding albums and this is no exception. Perhaps their most known EP, Aura is fast and furious for some parts and other parts the tempo slows down to create great atmosphere for the song to dwell for a bit, until the thunderous riffs return and it works to perfection. There are only three songs on this EP, but all of the are equally good, and proved to be the release which put Bølzer on the map.
Gespenst - Den Sidste Færd
I am very much a fan of Gespenst's sound on their debut Forfald, a hidden gem of brooding, doomy and nightmarish black metal. Now the Danish duo are back with an EP, Den Sidste Færd. While it has been 5 years since last, and some changes are to be expected, I didn’t quite expect the tempo-change of this album. While opener Dødsfærd starts promising, it evolves into a generic mid-tempo black slog with little unique character. I really want to like this EP, but besides a few scattered moments of atmosphere, and great closing piece Intethed, this EP is not the return to form I hoped for, unfortunately.
Putrid Evocation - Eternal Gloom: A Void of Agony and Repugnancy
Just to drive my point earlier about Chile to conclusion, this recent release from Putrid Evocation is death metal done right in my book. The distorted and dark sound of this EP is straight out of the 90's, and the slow and ominous tone this album cooks up drags the listener into the dark chasm which spawned this album. Alright, maybe a little too colorful a description, but you get the idea; Eternal Gloom: A Void of Agony and Repugnancy is worth your time, especially if you like the old classic bands like Autopsy and Incantation.
Currently looking forward to:
This month I am REALLY looking forward to the new album by Full of Hell titled Garden of Burning Apparitions. If the singles that have been put out from the album is any indication of what the rest of the album sounds like then oh boy, we are in for another great piece of noise grindcore that will be one of a kind, just like all of their other albums are. Garden of Burning Apparitions is released on the 1st of October.
- P.S.
Another one-man army, Gloosh is back with his second full-length offering from the Siberian Woodlands, titled Sylvan Coven. Obviously the fluorescent colors are an eye-catcher, but also the two currently available tracks are equally candy for the ears, showing excellent songcrafting skills and an ability to captivate the listener and draw them into their realm with. You should absolutely check Sylvan Coven out when it drops the 1st of October, and especially if you are into more organic-sounding and atmospheric black metal.
- J.C.L.
Noltem - Illusions in the Wake
A colorful cover-art has once again led me down the rabbithole with Noltem, an American act releasing their debut full-length Illusions in the Wake. While having existed since the early 00’s, they only have a Demo and EP to their name until now. Opening song Figment captivates with proggy drum-work, melodic guitar-solos and a quiet moment with acoustic guitars. A very solid track, and a great hope for the rest of the album, which releases from Transcending Obscurity on the 15th of October.
A colorful cover-art has once again led me down the rabbithole with Noltem, an American act releasing their debut full-length Illusions in the Wake. While having existed since the early 00’s, they only have a Demo and EP to their name until now. Opening song Figment captivates with proggy drum-work, melodic guitar-solos and a quiet moment with acoustic guitars. A very solid track, and a great hope for the rest of the album, which releases from Transcending Obscurity on the 15th of October.
- J.C.L.
Chile is at the forefront of a wave of very talented metal bands currently, which have largely escaped attention outside of South America. A damn shame as there is a lot of really excellent metal from these parts like Exanimatvm, Siaskel and perhaps most well-known Unaussprechlichen Kulten. Returning for a third full-length soon are Sol Sistere with a self-titled effort, this has a very aggressive, yet ethereal and haunting sound, which seems appropriate given the lyrical subjects of human collapse, self-destruction and the future in balance.
Sol Sistere drops on the 15th of October.
- J.C.L.
Listened to this week:
Fresh off the press is the newest release from Aorlhac, Pierres Brûlées. Hailing from the Occitan region in Southern France, this culture permeates through the lyrics and musical inspirations, and likewise puts a local folk-ish “spin” on their style of black metal. In truth, although I’ve been aware of Aorlhac’s existence, I’ve never taken the time to delve into their discography until this album, but I found myself enjoying this a lot; It's neat, melodic and very easy to get into, and the warm folk-ish vibes are a welcome treat. A solid album, without going above and beyond.
- J.C.L.
This week I have been listening to this Swiss two piece band, that really can make big sounding albums and this is no exception. Perhaps their most known EP, Aura is fast and furious for some parts and other parts the tempo slows down to create great atmosphere for the song to dwell for a bit, until the thunderous riffs return and it works to perfection. There are only three songs on this EP, but all of the are equally good, and proved to be the release which put Bølzer on the map.
- P.S.
I am very much a fan of Gespenst's sound on their debut Forfald, a hidden gem of brooding, doomy and nightmarish black metal. Now the Danish duo are back with an EP, Den Sidste Færd. While it has been 5 years since last, and some changes are to be expected, I didn’t quite expect the tempo-change of this album. While opener Dødsfærd starts promising, it evolves into a generic mid-tempo black slog with little unique character. I really want to like this EP, but besides a few scattered moments of atmosphere, and great closing piece Intethed, this EP is not the return to form I hoped for, unfortunately.
- J.C.L.
Just to drive my point earlier about Chile to conclusion, this recent release from Putrid Evocation is death metal done right in my book. The distorted and dark sound of this EP is straight out of the 90's, and the slow and ominous tone this album cooks up drags the listener into the dark chasm which spawned this album. Alright, maybe a little too colorful a description, but you get the idea; Eternal Gloom: A Void of Agony and Repugnancy is worth your time, especially if you like the old classic bands like Autopsy and Incantation.
- J.C.L.
Kommentarer
Send en kommentar