Tales from Bandcamp: Belfry by Messa

From the opening drone and Om track to the closing acoustic folk song I can totally say I have not been enthralled with such a shattering doom album since Pallbearer’s latest outing. Messa have crafted a monumental debut overflowing with suffocating atmospheres and bluesy doom thunder topped off with sultry female vocals that will hypnotize you as they invoke demons to consume your flesh.

Mixing the droniness of Sunn O))) with the psychedelic edge of bands like Subrosa and the bluesy occult punch of The Devil’s Blood or Blood Ceremony, each song is nothing short of completely engaging. Whether it’s the slow burn of “Babalon”, the Freebird-freakout of “Hour of the Wolf”, the doom-clarinet jam on “Blood”, or the driving riffing on “New Horns” there is always some trick up Messa’s sleeve to draw you even deeper into their rituals. Even the ambient interludes are inspiriting. Little touches like the crackle and hiss of vinyl punctuate how much care went into this record.

If you have any love for doom metal in your veins (of course you do!) you need to go to Messa. Our Father who art in doom, Messa be thy name. Thy riffs come, thy will be done. On Earth as is in Inferno.

As usual, listen, force your friends to listen, force your enemies to listen, give the band money, support music and shit. Peace Love and Metal!!!!

Tales from Bandcamp: Empires of Ash by Sojourner

I always appreciate when a band chooses a name that aptly describes what their sound is. Even more when they live up to it. Dream Theater, Agalloch, Moonsorrow, Cannibal Corpse, to name a few. With a lofty name like sojourner there is lofty expectations for the music to take me on one hell of a journey across sprawling landscapes and through magical realms. And boy does this debut of theirs deliver.

As equally majestic as it is furious, Empires of Ash channels that epic spirit of black metal bands like Summoning, Saor, and even Emperor. What really sets Sojourner apart from their contemporaries for me is how well they weave the folk instruments into their songs; a variety of flutes, piano, and cheesy-as-fuck synths (and I mean that in the best way possible) pour personality into the music. When ever they make an appearance they really heighten the atmosphere and give just the right amount of spine-tingling punch. Add in a smattering of pristine medieval-styled female vocals to break up the throaty rasps and the mystical element is delightfully accentuated. I also really appreciate the diversity of the songs on the record as well as the songs themselves. Some have touches of doom others bask in ballad territory. Each one has its own distinctive touch yet they all flow well together. This is definitely an album to be appreciated as a whole rather than piecemeal.

So, yeah, if you love yourself some epic folky black metal, do check Empires of Ash out. I see myself really taking a many trip with these Sojourners.  As always, give it a listen and if you dig it go dig in your couch or back seat for some spare change to toss to the artists, they deserve it. Annoy your friends with recommendations too!!!  Enjoy!!! Peace Love and Metal!!!!!

Tales From Bandcamp: In Pieces by Oak Pantheon

Some years ago I remember checking out an album by Oak Pantheon (2012’s From a Whisper), digging it enough to buy it, and then it kinda got lost among the mountain of mp3s on my player. Basically, it was a good album, but not memorable enough to really solidify itself in my consciousness. The band name stuck more with me than the music. Luckily, remembering the band name and associating it with something pretty quality I clicked on the preview for the new album, In Pieces, over at Bandcamp and an hour later left with more than just a killer band name fixed in my head.

Crafting an absolutely enthralling collection music, Oak Pantheon have delivered one of the most engaging atmospheric black metal albums I’ve heard to date.  Each track strikes balance between hypnotizing and ferocious, Earthly and astral.  Twists and turns that flow seamlessly rock you into a meditative state like laying back on a boat on an isolated sea. This album is a journey; a journey that will leave one changed. Outstanding instrumental performances to boot!

If you dig on bands like Vattnet Viskar, The Atlas Moth, Panopticon, and Agalloch, In Pieces is a must. If you just love well crafted music regardless of genre, this is a must. It will be a serious album of the year contender for me! Go give it a listen and a purchase if you enjoy it! Enjoy!! Peace Love and Metal!!!!

Tales From Bandcamp: Abbath by Abbath

Brandishing one of the most iconic faces in metal, black metal’s resident jester has left (or was forced out) his original band Immortal and is taking a stab at the thing as a solo artist.  Honestly, upon hearing this, I’d be hard pressed to not say he was already a solo artist during his days with Immortal.  His eponymous solo debut is basically a continuation of the frozen land of Blashyrkh.  So, if you love Immortal, you will love Abbath’s solo work.  In fact, while it doesn’t really push any boundaries, this is some of his most solid work to date.  Sick riffs, blistering speed, and snarling vocals.  What’s not to love?  Enjoy!!! Peace Love and Metal!!!

Tales from Bandcamp: Autumn Eternal by Panopticon

I know I’ve gone radio silent the past month due to a mixture of work and writing burnout.  However not at least dropping a few words about the latest from one of my favorite artists would be a pretty terrible thing.

Autumn Eternal displays Panopticon’s knack for creating stunning folk/black metal with majestic atmospheres realized to a level I’ve yet hear from the one-man band.  Incorporating things like choral vocals and keys, a heavier focus on melodies, and a slight scale back on the bluegrass elements makes this album a very fluid, well-crafted affair.  Each track carries its own personality and the small bump up in sound quality does help the record brandish more of a punch.  And as usual, Austin Lunn’s lyrics are absolutely beautiful.

Maybe I’ll return at some point to write up a full review, but until then, don’t hesitate a moment in giving Autumn Eternal a listen/purchase.  Enjoy!!!! Peace Love and Metal!!!

Tales From Bandcamp: Mgla – Exercises in Futility

Exercises in Futility VI

“As if you didn’t know how it feels to lose
As if you didn’t know how it feels to lose at dice with fate

At least have some dignity

As if it wasn’t a lifetime spent on connecting the dots
There was no pattern
As if the irony was more than a defense mechanism
And we could actually laugh for a change
As if steel hooks in our backs were more than a nuisance
And we could actually feel something

Self crucified – missed the right tree
Tore the wrong eye out
The hissing of hellfire
Self crucified – missed the right tree
For this I have gained a victory
I burn as I ought to

As if everything was to be made right one day
Dreams don’t come true for people like us
As if the gods were bored with peace in our hearts
And their fingers are itchy
As if we never broke people out of sheer boredom
And slept calmly among the wastes

And then we see bright and clear

As if we would be someone else
While mindlessly wandering through the mountains
As if we would be someone better
Expelling purgatory in Latin alphabet

Self crucified – missed the right tree
Tore the wrong eye out
The hissing of hellfire
Self crucified – missed the right tree
For this I have gained a victory
I burn as I ought to

As if all this was something more
Than another footnote on a postcard from nowhere
Another chapter in the handbook for exercises in futility”

 

Tales from Bandcamp: Cloak of Ash by Hope Drone

Think of those final chapters in Cormac McCarthy’s post-apocalyptic novel The Road (or the far inferior film adaptation if you must) where the characters find themselves upon the shore absorbed in grey.  Think of trees so weak that even the touch of a beam of pure sunlight of light could disintegrate them into ash.  Think of ocean waves so proud and majestic they refuse to give into the silence of an annihilated world around them as they rumble and crash into the end of their journey.  Think of the sorrow of what humanity has done to this august planet.  Think of the mighty rebirth of what will be when She shakes this disease (and claims Her plastic 😉 ).

Using an effective and emotive combination post-hardcore/metal, doom, sludge, and black metal Hope Drone create a cyclonic atmosphere of a world gone to ash.  Cloak of Ash is a miasma of despair, yet amid this there is a certain quality of beauty to be found upon its grey shores.  It’s an interesting beast to say the least.  Check it out!  Enjoy!! Peace Love and Metal!!!

Tales from Bandcamp: Wires/Dream\Wires by Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster

While I do greatly enjoy albums with long instrumental passages and even entire instrumental epic songs, I much prefer to have some semblance of human (inhuman?) voice integrated into my listening sessions.  For me, they help keep my attention with their dynamics and also help songs, album flow, and my mind, from wandering away.  Post-metal is a genre that, when not put into talented hands, often falls into a trap of letting songs meander along for too long and finds itself losing the impact of the core of the songs.  It also boasts quite a few instrumental bands; more than any other genre I can think of not named neo-classical guitarstabation.  For the most part, I can think of a single instrumental post-metal band that has been able to craft records that are tightly written, give that Tantric, hypnotic feeling, can crush it when necessary, and are engaging.  Now, I can add another band to that list; Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster.  (the other band I was referring to is none other than Pelican)

Following the rule of crafting intriguing album covers to convey well what is on the album, Wires/Dream\Wires‘ cover caught my eye on Bandcamp and I gave it a click.  I was treated to an hour of absolutely engaging post-metal I simply couldn’t stop listening to until the record finished.  Rich atmospheres, mesmerizing structures, grand soundscapes, and a touch of Tool bombarded my ears and left me captivated.  I got reeled in by some outstanding tone on the instruments that is at the same time lush and breezy yet thick and crushing.  And the seamless interplay woven throughout each instruments respective roles had me enthralled nonstop.

Even though there are touch of vocals on the final song of the album this is a wonderfully crafted instrumental affair you should check out even if instrumental post-metal isn’t your thing.  This is gripping record that hard to pull away from once you let it sink its teeth into you and a huge highlight in the realm of post-metal for this year.  If you fancy bands such as Pelican, Isis, or God is an Astronaut you owe it to yourself.

As always, give the band some money and share with your friends if you dig on the record.  Let us know what you thought.  Enjoy!! Peace Love and Metal!!!!

Tales from Bandcamp: M by Myrkur

Since I received the promo for the debut record from Myrkur I believe I have hit a record for the amount of times I have written and then deleted my review.  This is by far from saying that there is little to say about the album.  In fact, there are lots to say about this groundbreaking record.  I just didn’t want to fall into cliché over-emphasizing that the record is a one-Woman project nor under-emphasize a solid female voice in black metal.  I didn’t want to beat the dead horse of picking on the kvlt elitists I’ve seen saying not such nice things about any black metal that isn’t Mayhem or Burzum (and then pretty much becoming no better than the elitists themselves).  I also didn’t play into Myrkur’s image which forgoes sexuality but delivers some much-needed femininity because it kept turning into a diatribe for a more balanced female voice in metal and that would be better left as a separate rambling and not a review.  I wanted to say how much I love the shamanistic and ethereal nature of M but that kept becoming a love letter to the finer facets of modern black metal and over-emphasizing Garm from Ulver’s involvement in the creation of the record.  I wanted to quote one of my favorite The Big Lebowski lines, the one where Maude talks about ‘vagina’, but it just felt hammy.  I would have liked to touch upon some of the alien and almost Lovecraftian nature of the heavier moments but just wasn’t able to clearly get my point across.

There was a lot I have to say, but lack of an angle I could commit to and some writer’s block just made me say fuck it.  However, a record this good should not go unrecognized regardless of my difficulty in writing up a review nor did I want to spend so much time on something and not produce anything.  So I decided to just shoot some words from the hip and post it up as one of my ever-so-famous Tales From Bandcamp posts to let you readers out there an opportunity to discover this great entry into the pantheon of black metal.  Give it a listen, share it with your friends, toss some money at the artist, and let us know what you thought.  Enjoy!!! Peace Love and Metal!!!!

Tales from Bandcamp: Isolate by Mesarthrim

One modern trend I will probably never tire of is the astral themed black metal records.  Agalloch with The Serpent and the Sphere, Vattnet Viskar with Settler, Krallice with Years Past Matter, and so on.  It seems that each time a trippy post black metal album uses the stars as inspiration an album its scope and berth are as wide as the glittering sea above us.  Keep the Astral Metal coming please.

Catching my eye on the Bandcamp homepage with a beautiful photo taken by the Hubble Telescope I was easily compelled click to preview Isolate by Australian band Mesarthrim.  What I did not expect was that it would cut so heavily into my Ghost listening time; an album I’ve been frothing at the mouth for and was released today.

Dear Astreria! This album is outright phenomenal.  Heavy doses of reverby keyboard notes and major keys give the music such a triumphant sound that is as big as its subject matter.  There’s that overwhelming sense of positivity that you get from power metal but without all the cheese, superfluousness, and…. ummm.. well, power metal.  Nearly every moment here is just so uplifting.  The ambient moments are equally relaxing and introspective and add so much to the ponderous nature of the songs.  They perfectly compliment the mystical nature of the core of black metal.

This is a monumental album and should be given some love and attention asap.  Best part is the band is only asking for a single dollar for this beast.  You really can’t go wrong taking a chance here.  This album will transport you to a far away place, give you peace, and when you return you will be a happier person.  As always, tell all your friends about the music if you like it and let us know what you though in the comments.  Enjoy!! Peace Love and Metal!!!!