Showing posts with label ambient. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ambient. Show all posts

A Benefit for Stephen Petrus: "When one has nothing left make ceremonies out of the air and breathe upon them"

Tuesday, January 21, 2014


This post was initially going to be a review of a brand new compilation, but I've decided that due to the timeliness of matters, it's most important for me to simply put this out for the world to experience without going into great depth. Why? Because when this album is a compilation set to benefit Stephen Petrus, a member of the noise community whose house burnt down on January 8th. The public might view extreme musicians as groups of unsavory people, but I can't think of too many examples of such a large community coming together like this to help one of its own in other musical genres. So, instead of spending lengthy paragraphs telling you how the appropriately titled "Recovery From Flames" from Marc Benner is one of my standout tracks or how great it is to be introduced to Petrus' own music with the killer tune "Scarlet Apocalypse I" from his project Lithopædion, I'm simply using this space to encourage you to purchase this compilation and help this fellow reclaim a small part of his life and rebuild the rest. The music is generally on the ambient side of noise, with few tracks straying into harsher territory, making this a rather listenable compilation even for newcomers to the genre. In fact, with 28 tracks occupying about three hours' time, this one's a perfect introduction to some stellar noise artists. It's currently going for ten bucks but will soon be raised to fifteen for optimal benefit for Mr. Petrus, so hop on it now. Still, if you can afford to pay more than the minimum, I urge you to do so. The bandcamp player has been refusing to work on my page, for which I apologize. Click any of the links above to visit this compilation and hear the tunes.

New from Sol y Nieve: Nemorensis & Hellebore

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Today I'm featuring two releases currently available for a discounted pre-order from Sol y Nieve. It's been a few reviews since I touched on something purely black metal, so this is a perfect fit. I've always been thrilled with Sol y Nieve's releases and these two show the label continuing a tradition of working with bands that are unheard yet as talented as larger names. I'm super excited about these two tapes, so let's jump right in.


Starting things off here is Nemorensis, with its epic offering, "The Lady In The Lake." Clocking in at 27:27, this is a monolithic beast that works in movements more than functioning like a song rooted in rock structure. The opening section has a slowed down, ethereal gloom that features a melody that strongly reminds me of Depeche Mode's "Policy of Truth" at about 20% of its normal speed. It's haunting and beautiful, but feels somewhat like drowning or falling into an unplanned, drugged sleep. The ominous nature of this otherworldly drone begins to peak as chants and voices emerge, as if carried across great distances by an unexpected wind. As soon as I'm almost entirely lulled into calmness, I'm startled by the dissolution of peace as electric guitars are introduced. Dissonance begins to take hold, yet the guitars begin as merely an extension of the droning ambiance, slowly growing into something entirely of independent. Like an ancient evil awakening from slumber, it rises slowly into view, growing more dreadful by the minute, dripping with grime and reeking of death. With a transition so slow it's almost unnoticeable, the music shifts from droning guitars to a more aggressive, decidedly black metal approach, with a jagged pulsing approach that all but buries the distant percussion. By the end, the song builds to a radiant, glistening passage that feels like a rawer cousin of Lustre. In case my words don't make it obvious, this is already one of the most exciting things I expect to hear this year. Sol Y Nieve's release of this  gem is limited to 100 cassettes, packaged in a plastic case with a heavy stock J-card and a scroll attached with twine.



As if one massive, spacey black metal release wasn't enough, Sol y Nieve will also be releasing Hellebore's "Anouof Thwo." I have no idea what the title means, but the album art leads me to believe that the cosmic atmospheres have a lyrical direction that matches. While I don't listen to too many bands that take ambient black metal this far, this release genuinely captivates me. While my initial listen left me slightly confused and uncertain about my feelings, repeated visits have planted this in my head. Pounding rhythms and oddly textured leads are par for the course here, but this does not make for a straightforward listen. I'm all for unorthodox, and Hellebore seems keen on delivering just enough strangeness for me to be hooked without running the risk of scaring away more traditional listeners. Even the mellower interludes here (like stunning yet brief centerpiece "Udrea") have an unearthly feeling that isn't quite sad so much as detached, which really adds depth to the experience for me. The vocals have enough reverb to resonate across the void yet they aren't as buried as many similar bands might have them, allowing for a more balanced approach that still yields a raw coldness that pleases me. This surprised me in many ways and I'm glad I gave it a full and fair listen. It's limited to 100 copies on cassette with a heavy stock J-card and a button.

Rei Rea- "Selected Works I: Still Suns" CS (Union Finale)

Saturday, January 11, 2014


In mid-December I was contacted by Rei Rea, inquiring about the possibility of a review. While I always give a look and listen to emails I receive, I was particularly captivated by the unique fusion of sounds and visuals. You see, Rei Rea serves as the musical output of visual artist Christian Dubé. With knowledge of his works as a painter and general madman, it's impossible to listen to "Selected Works I: Still Suns" without imagining the music as some kind of visual music. While I often experience music in colors and patterns, it's rare that I imagine the creator using some sort of sonic brush strokes, but this album makes perfect sense in that context.


Drone and noise are terms that come to mind, but Rei Rea's work rarely commits itself to an easily categorized set of sounds. Instead, the elements of each song leave trails through multiple sets of sounds, frequently unsettling and troubling, but rarely horrific, allowing an experience that is unique while still relatively familiar. I find this album is one that either warrants headphones or a great sound system, as immersing oneself in the anxiety-inducing atmospheres here yields far greater results than simply dipping one's toes in it. Tracks like "Throne of Papa" introduce just enough beauty to keep the listener optimistic, if not even instilling a sense of euphoria. This elation is mostly to balance out the dread, which comes in waves between the moments of respite. Still, this is not the relentless horror of so many artists working with noise. This is more of the monotony of working for life only to die poor. This is a sonic painting in broad strokes of grey, brown, rust red, and black. Pain and suffering are present, but are accompanied by the small joys and moments of personal satisfaction. Perhaps Rei Rea is exactly this outlet for Dubé, the place away from the chaos.


The artist recommended pairing this album with an IPA, but I've been quite under the weather lately and have not been able to drink much of anything other than tea. That said, I'll recommend the exact beer he shared with me in an email conversation. It's not locally available for me, but he says it's quite potent. Rei Rea recommends drinking Le Castor Brewing Company's Yakima IPA. It's a Montreal-based brewery, so those of us in the United States might struggle to find it, but I hope my friends up north can enjoy a bottle while listening to this album. Cassette copies are available from Union Finale, and each tape comes with a large poster of the album art, making it a total steal. Stream the album here if my words aren't enough to convince you.

Cronesmoon, Gulag, Ekadzati & Anatra: The Many Voices of Zareen Katherine Price

Sunday, January 5, 2014


It was not until Record Store Day of last year that I became familiar with the music of Zareen Katherine Price. A friend posted about a sale (I believe it was one tape free with the purchase of three?) her label Milam Records was hosting, so I paid the label's bandcamp page a visit and listened. Within an hour I decided to order a small handful of tapes from Serpentina, Ekadzati, Mare Cognitum, and Greed & Rapacity. A few months later, through wonders of social media, we came to be acquainted. Having enjoyed her previous works, I have elected to review two separate cassettes (released with no label affiliation) featuring songs from many separate projects of hers in which is the sole member (with friend Dan Nahum assisting on drums). For one artist to have so many separate projects might seem silly to some, but it's evident that each of these projects needs its own space and concept, even if the sounds might be complementary when placed on the same cassette tape.


First, we're examining "VII MMXIII", a split between her three projects Ekadzati, Gulag, and Anatra. The album flows sequentially, with Ekadzati contributing two songs, and Gulag and Anatra sharing one each. Wasting no time, Ekadzati's track "Argham" opens things up with ravenous higher register shrieks and trebly tremolo picking backed with constant drumming. The swelling of sounds feels like an ocean storm, tormenting the listener for a couple of minutes before finally engulfing them. Interestingly enough, while writing this review, I took a look at the lyrics, which give a detailed description of what appears to be an intentional drowning. The ominous nature of the music pairs quite well with the lyrical intensity, but it's especially nice when Ekadzati takes a moment to build up tension with the reflective introduction to "Padyam." I really hate track by track reviews, but in a tape with such diverse sounds, this really just makes sense. As soon as the listener is lulled into comfort, it's back into the typhoon of insanity. Unlike its predecessor, the song relents rather than ending with an assault, showing the many different musical sides of Zareen Katherine Price with just one of her projects.

Up next is Gulag, with "Inscribed in Skin." The song lurches in appropriately enough with frantic low-end fixated guitars and some sort of hideous belch. While not wholly removed from black metal, this more greatly resembles a faster and more aggressive take on the cavernous death metal that's become quite fashionable lately. The song's progression sees the pace escalating wildly until a sudden stop with the crash of a cymbal.

Flipping the cassette, we are presented with Anatra's contribution, "Wind Over Water." In stark contrast to the violent chaos of Gulag, the song opens with a repeatedly chiming bell of some sort. Slightly meditative, slightly foreboding, it perfectly sets the pace for this nearly lengthy piece of dark ambient exploration. With the title in mind, one hears the howling static of cold winds blowing over an empty bay. In the distance you might think you hear the echoes of something resembling human sounds, but they never present themselves as anything other than a possibility. While the song is initially maddening, I find myself becoming more immersed in it about halfway in. Smaller, higher pitched sounds occasionally slither in and out, allowing just enough variation for my attention to remain on the sounds. At the cassette's end, I am left neither at peace nor troubled. Perhaps this was intentional. It does not feel like an intended goal was missed. Indeed, I feel like the B-side is the palate cleanser for the aggression and turmoil of the A-side. While each of the three acts stands alone, the pairing works brilliantly here.



The second cassette featured today is still up for sale: "XI MMXIII." This is a split between Gulag and the newest of Price's projects: Cronesmoon. Gulag's song here, "Icosahedral Keys to the Fleshly Gate" instantly feels like a more focused and accessible beast than "Inscribed in Skin," with an intentionally awkward marching pace starting things off before delving straight into a valiant and driven mid-section. Gulag is self-described as "war metal," and the pacing of this song is the strongest evidence I've found so far. Galloping and violent, this feels like far more of a statement of intent, although both songs are quite enjoyable and clearly come from a similar place musically. In another presentation of direct contrast, Cronesmoon follows Gulag with the closest thing Price has created to traditional second wave black metal sounds, "Sister Tongues of Rain." There's certainly a slightly more cerebral and involved way of approaching the music here, almost as if the progressive and psychedelic leanings of modern-day incarnations of more established black metal bands were infused into the classics of the early nineties. While the song is longer than most of Price's other metal-rooted songs, the furious nature of the song makes it feel like it has passed all too quickly, ending the cassette.

With three projects poised for more output (it does appear that Ekadzati is being put to rest, at least for the time being) I can only recommend you keep an eye on her output however you're able. Even if one of her many projects doesn't appeal to you, another just might. Additionally, all music described here can be heard by clicking the links to each of the album titles. Usually bandcamp embed codes work just fine but today they're being a pain. Rather than delaying this review, I'm just going to force you guys to click links. Thanks for your patience.

Top Noise, Drone, Experimental, & Electronic Releases of 2013

Friday, December 20, 2013

Hey readers, welcome to the second of my posts rounding up the most exciting and enjoyable releases of 2013. This is another catch-all type post, but instead of focusing on things that wouldn't normally appear on my website, this entry is a journey through all of the strange, potentially unclassifiable releases that have graced my ears over the course of the past year. I was initially considering making a list for harsher forms of sonic experimentation and a separate list for mellower stuff or things with roots in other genres, but I realized that I'd be in far too deep if I made a million separate categories, so without further ado, I present the best BM&B approved albums that aren't quite metal, but are entirely worth my readers' time.


25. K11- "Another Temple to the Great Beast 666" (Utech)
From horror to bliss and back, "Another Temple to the Great Beast 666" is an album that (like many here) can't truly be described with words. It's a series of experiences that weave in and out of each other. From subtle sounds of nature, as if one were actually visiting the ruins of an ancient temple, to roaring tones that evoke images of demonic rituals, this album touches on many different areas of noise and drone, keeping things fresh from start to finish.



-----'


24. Machismo- "Severe Disconnect" (Depravity Label)
Easily some of the most static and turbulent noise I've heard, "Severe Disconnect" is like leaving reality behind in a moment of pure fear. If this group isn't out to directly cause harm to the listener, they're certainly skilled at making me think otherwise. Violence embodied. Don't know how this hasn't sold out yet. Get it while you can.



-----


23. Sunken Cathedral- "Sunken Cathedral" (Black Horizons)
Slow moving, textured drone atmospheres aplenty on this release. It all feels very organic and you can practically feel the moss growing on the ruins of something ancient and sacred. Blissful and mind melting, perhaps both for the same reason.



-----


22. Trepaneringsritualen- "The Totality of Death" (Malignant Records/Silken Tofu)
As one of the first death industrial projects I ever heard, Trepaneringsritualen has long been a reference point for me when discussing the bleaker side of music. With this two disc set, with each CD being released by a separate label, this project visits new depths that set me on edge in all the ways I needed. It's hard to state how much of an endurance test this release can be at times, but the reward is all the more enjoyable after repeated listens.



-----


21. Body of Light- "Volonta di Amore" (Chondritic Sound)
Surprisingly beautiful and almost entirely reminiscent of new wave, this tape instantly captured my attention and should do the same for you. My only complaint is that it's far too brief, but as always, that just means it's good for multiple listens in one sitting.



-----


20. Dylan Ettinger/Goldendust- "The Pale Mare/Truth" (DKA Records)
This split 7" is the first release from fledgling label DKA Records and offers one brief yet engaging track from each artist. Ettinger's side features dense beats, seemingly rooted in rap/hip-hop, which are paired with elegant and simple electronic melodies and heavily warped vocals. Goldendust's side contrasts the almost claustrophobic dance vibe of Ettinger with a hazy, mellow ballad that might seem a bit sleepy at first listen, but proves truly addictive over time.



-----


19. Brennendes Gehirn & Dorian Williamson- "Rites of the Aethyr" (Antithetic)
This collaborative release surprised me despite my familiarity with Williamson's primary work in drone duo Northumbria. Traveling from entirely welcoming and comforting bass drones to the vast emptiness of the abandoned remnants of once great cities, this release kept me guessing the whole time, and subsequent listens only reinforced the strengths demonstrated here. I hope these two minds meet to collaborate again. Read my review for greater details.



-----


18. Judas Christ- "American Gulag" (Male Activity)
This one was submitted for review and the name struck me as silly. Then I realized I couldn't stop listening to it. My review should sum up my thoughts on this fantastic offering from this bleak new group.



-----


17. wet nurse.- "Flux Emission" (Male Activity)
Overwhelmingly depressing power electronics with unconventional structures, if there is such a thing as a conventional structure in noise. One of the albums that convinced me that analog purists sometimes miss out on real gems. Read my full review here.



-----


16. Waves Crashing Piano Chords & Tanner Garza- "de Sade" (Forever Escaping Boredom)
At times terrifying and others merely disconcerting, this collaboration between two competent noise musicians was one of those tapes that REALLY wasn't long enough. With a mere two tracks of collaboration between these individuals that barely makes the eight minute mark, I can only hope that this is a teaser for some sort of horrifying opus rather than a brief melding of minds. Read my full review for further details.



-----


15. The Stargazer's Assistant- "Mirrors & Tides, Shivers & Voids" (Utech)
Possibly the most conventionally accessible release on this list, this album has been one of my most heavily played of the year. My thoughts on this 2x10" release can be found over at Hammer Smashed Sound.


-----


14. The Vomit Arsonist- "An Occasion for Death" (Malignant Records)
The melancholy drone and noise experimentation of The Vomit Arsonist caught me by surprise earlier this year and never really let go. It seems there's no occasion for which this album didn't feel appropriate this year. Read my review and go buy a copy.



-----


13. Swallowing Bile- "Wojtek" (Sounding Session)
To pick a single Swallowing Bile release and say "this is the one" is hard. This fresh project has already proven to be a powerhouse in the noise and power electronics communities, and "Wojtek" was the first of his albums I obtained this year. It also happened to be the one I've listened to most frequently. It's quite safe to say this is one of the only truly harsh releases I loved enough to include on this list, so if you're curious about more extreme sounds but aren't fully prepared for them, give this tape a listen and see if you're ready.



-----


12. Breathing Problem- "Reactive Attachment Disorder" (Wohrt Records)
Easily one of the most depressing and fluid power electronics releases of the year, "Reactive Attachment Disorder" was an early find for me and has remained as gripping as the first time I listened. While it's hard to recommend this for everybody, brave fans of the genre will find this tape incredibly rewarding. Read my review for full details.



-----


11. Crowhurst- "Memory Loss" (Self-Released)
After reviewing Crowhurst's ominous "Death Van" earlier this year, it was a pleasant surprise to find an even more thrilling release from this nebulous entity. What kind of music does Crowhurst perform? It depends on the release. With roots in noise, Crowhurst seems intent on spreading its horrifying little fingers in every direction. "Memory Loss" is some of the most detached yet focused work I've heard from this project to date. Listen and fall in love.



-----


10. Bodystocking- "Sheer Spidertouch" (Strange Rules)
As with most Strange Rules cassettes, it's rather unlikely this one will surface for purchase at any point in the near future, but I managed to snag a copy with great luck. This rather prolific side project from A Pregnant Light/Colloquial Sound Recordings mastermind is a dense, beautiful industrial endeavor and this (along with many releases on CSR sublabel Locust Leg) has captivated me in a way I may not have initially expected. The motion never stops. The beauty is more than superficial. Keep an eye out for more from Bodystocking, and don't expect it to last long when copies do surface.

-----


9. Synsophony- "Karmic Existence" (Acephale Winter Productions)
This free digital EP is one of the few releases I was uncertain about placing here rather than in my black metal section. Still, as an absolutely horrifying drone release, this absolutely belongs on this list and is one of the unsung albums of the year that I still can't believe didn't receive more attention. This absolutely deserves to be heard by everybody. Read my review for more information and get ready for a new EP in early 2014.



-----


8. Herukrat- "Anna Karina" (SVN OKKLT)
This tape is harsh noise wall with a purpose. Focused, obsessive, and in control, Herukrat guides the listener perfectly. My friend Tom at Metallic Imagery described this better than I ever could. Download this sold out cassette and lose your mind.



-----


7. Jason Hodge- "Hope Has Abandoned Us" (Enemata)
This heartbreaking, pensive cassette has been a frequent companion over the past year. Jason Hodge has released a few tapes this year, each of which has proven to be truly dynamic in its approach to noise. Like any of his works, this album feels fresh and Hodge's commitment to creating something unique is fulfilled through the course of his work. Read my complete review and grab a copy for yourself.



-----


6. Khfiva- "I" (Male Activity)
Shimmering beauty paired with depressing atmospheres. Khfiva's debut cassette's only weakness is how short it is. Read my complete review here, and visit my friend Tom at Metallic Imagery to download this long sold out gem.

-----


5. a death cinematic- "corrosions of traveled daydreams" (Tycho Magnetic Anomalies/Simple Box Construction)
As one of the most brilliantly packaged releases of the year, this should instantly appeal to anybody who gets into the visual component of owning music. As one of the most engaging and desolate experimental/drone cassettes released this year, this should have sold out a long time ago, but it hasn't. Get it if you haven't already. Read my complete review for more reasons you need this.



-----


4. Image of Life- "Weight Loss During Wartime/Walking in the Dark" (Chondritic Sound)
Easily one of the most frequently played 7" records in my collection, this one is two perfect tracks of coldwave brilliance. Whether it's the featured A-side's frantically catchy madness or the plodding gloom of B-side "Walking in the Dark," this one is absolutely amazing. For bonus giggles and enjoyment, slow things down and play it at 33 instead of 45--it gets super dark and totally fun. If only I could find a copy of their full-length cassette, I'd be quite happy.



-----


3. Tollund Men- "Virbius Abstract" (Nostilevo)
While Tollund Men managed to release two excellent tapes this year (possibly three, depending on the timeliness of the impending Total Black tape/shirt combo), it's safe to say that this one received more play in my house than pretty much the entire Tollund Men discography combined. While my very amateur interview with Neal touched on this release to some degree, I never gave it the proper review it deserves. I can't really put a genre to this music, but it's both melodic and uninviting at the same time. There's a heavy layer of distortion and reverb that seems to eat half the sound coming out, which only makes these four songs more intriguing, as multiple listens yield a deeper understanding of the music contained within. I seriously can't get enough of this tape and I imagine I'll be listening to it frequently well into 2014.



-----


2. Crown of Cerberus- "With Arms Extended to the Heavens" (Depravity Label)
Early this year I was almost certain that this would be my top album of the year, and I was almost right. The gorgeous A-side contrasts perfectly with the somewhat startling B-side, making for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I wrote a lot of nice words about this tape over at Hammer Smashed Sound, and you should read them if you aren't convinced that you need this in your life simply by its high placement on this list.



-----


1. Tanner Garza- "Lucid" (Static Reason)
I feel it's almost wrong of me to feature the talented Mr. Garza twice in one list, but I'm doing it out of necessity. In almost direct contrast to the meandering madness of his other release on this list, "Lucid" is one of the warmest, most inviting albums I've had the pleasure of hearing all year. There are so many things I could say about this tape, but I've already said them on Hammer Smashed Sound, and I need not ramble any longer on this huge post.

Fragile Branch update: New music from Voidcrawler, Ancst, & Frater Ximenes is Dead

Monday, September 16, 2013


Some of you may notice that this post comes not long after a recent post about a batch of releases from Fragile Branch. Even without consistent quality, a label this prolific would have my full attention, but Fragile Branch's roster remains ambitious and challenging while still having a general focus on high quality black metal and its related subgenres. With three new tapes being released between now and the end of October, it's time to take a good look and prepare ourselves for some new music.


Voidcrawler- "Demo"
This release is one of the few demo albums I've heard recently that actually sounds like a demo. It's not quite a fully realized album, but it is a solid and enjoyable collection of songs that craft a dark fantasy atmosphere full of wolves, wind, and otherworldly beasts. If the totally awesome album cover doesn't instantly sell you, I don't know if I can help you much. The songs themselves are fully formed, and the themes do seem related, but there seems to be a slight change in overall sound quality and balance between a couple of the tracks. It's not an issue so much as something that caught my attention--perhaps the physical cassette is slightly more consistent. While not quite in the vein of many bands that pay homage to Lord of the Rings, the song titles create such vivid imagery that the music tends to play into. I can imagine much of this lo-fi black metal being listened to in a cabin lit only by candles, with demons and ghouls lurking just outside. Clean lead guitar tends to subtly guide the distorted backing tracks on through snowy woodlands and endless valleys. This is a promising debut for this act and the cassette can already be preordered, with tomorrow set as the shipping date.


Ancst- "In Turmoil"
People who keep up with Black Metal & Brews are most likely familiar with Ancst from my recent review of their two-song cassette "The Humane Condition," released earlier this year on Dark Omen Records. "In Turmoil" is the first official US-based release from Ancst and is a collection of their songs from multiple other releases, including "The Humane Condition." Despite the fact that these songs are from separate releases, the urgency and experimentation in Ancst's style allows pretty much any of their tracks to flow nicely with any other. Each of the tracks here stands alone while working with the others. If you're looking for more of the chaotic black metal influenced hardcore/sludge hybrid that Ancst is so good at, this tape is a perfect way to catch a bit of everything from them. This tape will be up for preorder soon with a release date of October 22nd, so keep an eye out. Additionally, Ancst has a pretty promising split with Hiveburner available directly from the band themselves. Ancst's tracks from that split are all on "In Turmoil," but if you're interested in the other half of the split you should check it out.


Frater Ximenes is Dead- "Demo II"
Following two slightly more aggressive and fast-paced releases is this offering of terrifying dark ambient and droning black metal. While this is Frater Ximenes is Dead's second demo, it's the first I've heard from them and it makes for a promising introduction. Warped keys, distant shrieks, and a heavy haze that never quite leaves all make for an unsettling and dark release from this Italian duo. Even by the album's end, the nature sounds that are left behind strike me as the earth reclaiming its territory after some sort of man-made chaos. There's little familiar here, even when drawing parallels to similarly minded artists of the general black noise genre, and I find that to be suitable. This is arguably the strangest release I've reviewed lately, yet my morbid fascination with it grows with each listen. This is going to be released on October 22nd in an edition of 66 copies with a patch. I seriously recommend getting on this. It may not make sense at first, but it grows on the listener with repeated plays.

Xothist- s/t LP (Fallen Empire Records)

Monday, September 9, 2013


Xothist's debut album has been out for a while now, but up until just recently it had only been available on a highly limited cassette from the now defunct Bleak Environment. Thanks to Fallen Empire Records, this album has now seen release on vinyl with a recent remaster and is finally getting the more widespread attention it deserves. As Xothist's sole member is a former member of the indescribable Tollund Men, it's no surprise that the suffocating brand of ambient black metal presented here is unique and highly unorthodox. This album has been a quick seller, so check out my review and then grab a copy quickly, before they vanish entirely.


Each side of this record contains a single track just under twenty-one minutes long, allowing Xothist to slowly craft a dense and precise atmosphere rather than rushing any musical ideas. The heavy electronic elements presented here add a rather uneasy feeling to the music, and the first number of minutes of either side of the record captures the feeling of being hunted down. I'm not sure if Xothist is the predator or if he's conveying his experience as the prey, but it's unsettling regardless. When the electronic tension finally breaks into a cathartic explosion of distorted guitars and vocals, it still feels like there is a smothering element to the music. Everything seems to be either hidden behind a veil of some sort, or perhaps it's even just pushing down heavily on the listener. The feeling of a struggle is apparent in every moment of this recording, whether nearly silent or bursting with energy. The music often pours over at a mid-paced gallop, with electronic chaos exploding in the distance from time to time. While the production allows me to hear most of what's happening, there is an intentional blurring of instruments that creates a more textured and oppressive feeling than many similarly paced black metal albums would attain. When the speed picks up, it still feels pained on an almost cosmic level rather than "evil" as many faster black metal releases seem to strive for. Indeed, Xothist emanates suffering, mechanical disconnection, and universal emptiness far more than evil, hatred, or aggression. While I am not privy to the lyrical content, I'd be quite interested to know what's going on here, as the music is far more compelling and intelligent than the average black metal release.


Copies of this album with patches (pictured immediately above) are in short supply, although regular copies still remain for the time being. If you don't want to be left behind, I recommend making a purchase immediately. It's only $16 and well worth it. As always, Fallen Empire has made this album available as a "pay what you like" download from their bandcamp if you aren't entirely ready for this on vinyl, although I have no idea why you wouldn't want this album in your grubby little hands.

New releases from Acephale Winter Productions

Monday, August 26, 2013


Followers of my site know that I've been documenting Acephale Winter Productions since its birth. I'm happy to see they're becoming more productive in both scope of bands as well as frequency of releases. Since they've had an active summer, I feel it's time for us to examine a few of their current releases for the benefit of all my readers.


Infera Bruo- "Desolate Unknown"
Starting off the batch of newer releases is the new tape from Infera Bruo, a group whose members have all put serious time in with other bands such as Trap Them, Bothildir, Pillory, and Cul de Sac. Knowing the diverse backgrounds of the members, it's no surprise that "Desolate Unknown" both adheres to and reaches beyond the standards of black metal, all while delivering an enjoyable package. The assault begins immediately, and the band rarely lets things slow down unless it's to lead the listener into a false sense of security. The instruments work equally well when they're smothering the listener or when they're creating just enough negative space to generate tension. The vocals, too, are just as suitable when they're rasping and howling as they are when they're delivering slightly cleaner passages. It's refreshing to hear clean vocals delivered in the middle of the madness, as many bands seem to only feel comfortable singing with clarity when the music mellows out. Additionally, breaking up the lengthy songs on this album are a couple of segue tracks that are just unsettling enough to make me crave the security of black metal song structures.  My personal favorite track is "Oblivion," which gallops in with relatively familiar feeling black metal aesthetic, but is so masterfully executed that the many twists and turns feel just like revisiting a favorite roller coaster--full of chaos but it still leaves me feeling safe and pleased with the overall outcome. From start to finish, the way these guys manipulate the boundaries of genre, time, and tradition is impressive and the songs are memorable to boot. Snag this tape while you can, it's likely to be one of the year's biggest sleeper albums.


Die Entweihung- "The Cage"
Die Entweihung is the solo project of an Israeli musician who proves that even regions not known for having a particularly prominent metal community can generate talented artists. This album is apparently his sixth(!) and it certainly sounds like the work of a determined and ambitious musician. The production is slightly more cleaned up than Infera Bruo's, yet the music still hits pretty heavily. Synths are dominant sources of melody on this album, and while some of the synth voices become a bit cheesy, they work nicely to accent the guitar melodies without overpowering them. While the first track might make the album seem a bit more like a traditional heavy metal album with little black metal elements, the rest of the album delivers a bludgeoning yet melodic approach to black metal that resembles little else I've heard before. Tracks like "Where's That Life?" showcase Die Entweihung's style quite nicely, with solid riffs and some excellent changes of pace thrown in. The only real critique I'd like to raise is that I can see the vocals being an issue for some listeners. I can't tell if they're manipulated or just heavily layered, but they initially threw me off track. Still, the songwriting is strong enough to carry this release onward, with lengthy tracks really allowing the space to show off without it feeling bloated or self-indulgent. Closing the album is a bonus cover of Summoning's "Lugburz," which is enjoyable, although I'll admit to only being mildly familiar with Summoning's material. Snag this if you're into epic songwriting and tunes that feel like journeys.


Synsophony- "Karmic Existence"
Following the two cassette releases is Acephale Winter's second digital release, Synsophony's twenty-three minute offering of blackened drone. While this might normally imply single-note dirges with maximum haze, this is a relatively bare release. The album's beginning sounds like the low breathing of a terrifying, massive beast in slumber. Subtle notes pulse and echo in an empty room with little light. A few minutes in, the beeping of some machine makes its way in, possibly an EEG or other medical device. The ominous pulses do not disappear, instead the sounds converge and overlap until they flow together in unison. It's rare that listening to music actually makes me anxious, but as the album reaches the six-minute mark, that's exactly what I feel. Anxiety gives way to horror as the beep becomes static and the low rumble becomes an oppressive bellowing drone and Synsophony takes the listener into the depths of madness. Reality collapses in on itself, like an overwhelming experience with psychedelics or the actual end of the universe, leaving a sparse drone after a minute or two of pure fear. The humming evil in the distance lingers, observing the listener as they wait for the next assault. In case it isn't obvious, this album is so visual in nature that it's just begging for a physical release. I've got a decent sound system here at home through which I've enjoyed this album, but I can just imagine how intense it would be to have this beauty on vinyl with full art, notes, and so on. Albums this desolate rarely make their way into my periphery until they're long out of print, so I'm going to urge you all to download this with a small donation so that this might one day become a physical release.

New Music: Welter In Thy Blood, Waves Crashing Piano Chords & Tanner Garza, and A Void In Coma,

Friday, August 23, 2013

Today we're going to delve into some albums that embody the coldness, anxiety, and horror that I love so much. If you're looking for some music to really saturate your environment with darkness, this post is for you.


Welter In Thy Blood- "Todestrieb" digipack CD (Dusktone)
Welter In Thy Blood's newest offering, "Todestrieb" approaches slowly, like the onset of old age and the weakness that accompanies it.  A low frequency static rumbles across the desolation of an empty wasteland as the band readies itself to deliver an ominous offering of slow and bleak industrialized doom. In many ways, the miserable territory covered here reminds me of the slower moments of Blut Aus Nord's "Work Which Transforms God," with layers of guitar collapsing in on themselves in a way that is just melodic enough to retain the attention of even skeptical listeners. Vocals howl in and around the song like icy winds, but seldom come to the forefront, which further darkens the atmosphere. While I've grown a bit skeptical of bands with nearly indecipherable logos, I'm really glad I gave this one a listen, as it's been something of an obsession for me for the past couple weeks.  The label's based out of Italy, but it's worth the cost of shipping. Grab a copy here.


Waves Crashing Piano Chords & Tanner Garza- "de Sade" CS (Forever Escaping Boredom)
This collaborative effort from two very different noise-based artists creates a chilling environment in which gently humming tape loops set an ethereal yet eerie backdrop for high-pitched feedback and chaos. For the uninitiated, Garza (also a member of the legendary Black Leather Jesus) is the loop mastermind, while WCPC brings the feedback-heavy assault. When vocals appear, they seem to mock and challenge the listener, before becoming part of the manipulated sounds that torment the mind of the listener. This is neither as soothing as Garza's solo material nor is it as abrasive as WCPC's typical chaos, making it a great release for folks who are familiar with either artist or for people simply looking for a good sampler of two of the more prolific noise artists around right now. Get this limited tape from Forever Escaping Boredom by ordering through the bandcamp link above.


A Void in Coma- "A Primal Obsession with the Cosmos" (Self-Released)
A Void in Coma are a new group to me, having never crossed my periphery until the band themselves contacted me. I'm glad they did. Their hypnotic, droning approach to ambient black metal works nicely. While they cite influences in the shoegaze genre, there's little to no presence of the highly overdone "blackgaze" sound. Instead, the music is meditative, clear, and can easily be listened to without digging through tremolo-picked guitar, although there is a heavy haze that adds to the mood. Vocals are delivered as chants, harsher traditional black metal vocals, and even occasional depraved howls, which presents a very enjoyable balance. While this album is not currently available for purchase in any physical formats, the band has plans to repress this demo and it is presently available as a download by clicking the link to the album itself.

Host: A Brief Profile

Tuesday, May 7, 2013


Now that my college semester is over, I have the time to focus on things that help me relax. Luckily for all of us, listening to new music and sharing it with the masses is pretty much my favorite thing to do. To get things started in a proper fashion, here's a brief profile of ritual noise artist, Host along with a download link or two for your enjoyment and enrichment. This artist directly contacted me a few months ago and my scatterbrained nature during my semester prevented me from giving a proper review, although I'd enjoyed the album he initially sent. Apparently my constant delays due to school and personal life worked out nicely for my readers, as he's since released an experimental track of sorts and has another album coming out in the very near future.


Host's first release with which I am acquainted, "Implant," is a journey of some sort, perhaps into and through the singularity. The futuristic beauty and horror that play with each other sound like the perfect soundtrack for a sci-fi film of technological advances gone wrong. Disconcerting drones buzz alongside chirping, somewhat tonal electronic textures with minimal to no percussion yet the music definitely does have its own structure. I'm always into a bit of melody or tonality making its way into noise and ambient structures, and Host does a great job of integrating accessible sounds into noisy soundscapes, creating a fantastic atmosphere. This album had my full attention and appreciation within the first minute, and I imagine it'll do the same for most of my readers who have appreciated my noise-related posts in the past. If you're still hesitant to hop on the noise/electronic train, this might actually be a pretty good starting point due to the genre-straddling nature of this release. Grab this one as a free download from Host's bandcamp page to start your journey into one of our many possible futures.


Following the crumbling beauty of "Implant" is Host's current experiment, "Evolution." This song is going to be hard to explain, as everybody has their own wholly unique experience. "Evolution" uses samples from Host's upcoming release, "Null Pointer," and combines them with random number generation, live financial, meteorological, and social data in order to manipulate the sound and alter the experience for every listener. I will admit to only perusing this potentially endless experiment once so far, although I do plan on visiting with it again. My personal experience is that of an endless series of pistons, churning ever onward with mechanical precision. It's dark, relentless, and I love it. Experience it for yourself and be sure to bookmark the page for your own future excursions. This might be the future of music, so don't be surprised if other artists start doing things like this soon.


After immersing myself in "Evolution" for about ten minutes, I feel prepared to present and review Host's impending release, "Null Pointer." Following the apparent trend of growing in size, intensity, and scope, this album's three tracks each pass the ten-minute mark and shed much of the electronic tonality in favor of cavernous low-frequency drones. Even the tiniest of sounds echoes into a seemingly infinite void. True to the album's title, it seems that everything converges somewhere immeasurably distant, with everything fading into a dull hum that never fully reaches a resolution. The mechanical churning I described in "Evolution" surfaces here as intermittent static, swelling to fill empty space left as each previous noise falls farther from audible levels. This album is more experiential than musical, which is not to say that it can't be listened to for the sake of listening, but the massive amount of detail and texture here make this ideal material for a session with headphones in a darkened room. As the last crackle of static fades into oblivion, we are left with nothing but ever-lengthening echoes for the final minute or two, giving a rare moment of peaceful closure that leads to a contemplative silence that I find most appropriate after such an experience.

It should go without saying that Host is an artist to watch in months to come, as this project has already released a handful of solid releases and seems prepared to continue putting out new noise at a considerable pace. "Null Pointer" will be released on the 27th of May, which gives us just under three weeks to prepare. As the music continues to change form and approach with each release, I can only imagine that whatever comes next will be equally engaging and rewarding to dedicated noise fans and casual listeners of drone alike.
 

Total Pageviews

Popular Posts