What is new? Week 1: 22-28 January 2022

Introducing our new weekly column, where new singles and news from bands will posted, just to keep in touch with the endless stream of metal music.

We begin this weeks column with new music, cover artworks and release dates from some well known bands. 

Ghost - Impera.

Ghost will be releasing their new album, Impera, in March 11th 2022. The first single, "Call me little sunshine" is still moving on the road that Ghost pave gradually with each release. They are indeed very talented in creating catchy, poppy rock songs that have a touch of darkness.

Meshuggah - Immutable

Another one of the influencial metal bands, a band that created an entire genre, without it being their purpose from what I understand, will be releasing their new album, Immutable, on April 1st 2022. 

Their first single "The Abysmal Eye" shows they are moving in a slightly slower and heavier sound, but still creating this swirling construct of moving concrete and metal.

 Sakis Tollis - Among The Fires Of Hell

Sakis Tollis, the main man of Rotting Christ, is going to be releasing his first solo album, Among The Fires Of Hell, in 2022. The first single takes us back in the late 90's era time of Rotting Christ, where dark atmosphere was their main goal, reminding the albums Sleep Of The Angels, A Dead Poem, Khronos.

 Shape Of Despair - Return To The Void

Shape Of Despair return from the void after seven years of silence. This is heavy, slow, funeral doom, where despair and melancholy have the reins of the chariot. Their music is not for everyone, but I do have a love for this type of metal.The third single called "Forfeit" was released two days ago.

 

Det Eviga Leendet - Reverence

Det Eviga Leendet is a black metal band from Sweden. In their second full length, Reverence, they have Jacob Buczarski, from Mare Cognitum, on vocals. A relentless, spacey black metal assault. Their album can be listened in its entirety on bandcamp.

Amorphis - Halo

 

On February 11th, legendary Amorphis will be releasing their new album Halo. I have to say that Amorphis have managed to have a specific sound that doesn't stray from the recipe, but with each album they prove that innovation is not necessary. Instead, composing very good songs can keep one's interest in their music. For those who love Amorphis, they will find exactly what they want.

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Tempel – “The Moon Lit Our Path” - song released

Tempel is a dynamic duo that plays instrumetal (instrumental metal). In January of 2014 they released their debut album, "On the steps of the temple" and those with a refined nose, listened to one of the most thick and tight riffocentric albums of the underground, in recent years.

With a sound that brings to mind the early works of Pelican and other simirlar bands, they build structures of sound and create atmospheres with a deep sentimetnal value. Like the wind that blows through the ruins of ancient civilizations. This type of music, that relies solely on music, is risky for any band that decides to take that path and Tempel succeed with artistic ease.

Their new song, "Carvings in the door", from their latest album "The Moon Lit Our Path", scheduled for release in the mid of June, is a warm summer cloud of exploration, with the riff developing steadilly, taking the listener to new landscapes, unseen at first but slowly revealed and the lead melodicism that is hidden within it, never escapping the strict boundaries that the drums are creating, is the fuel that makes this journey feel relaxed. The drums are doing all the earthly work, grounding the song and making it feel lively. This song is a biological organism with great narrative abillities. I can't wait to be exposed to the whole album.

 

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METAL FEED: TAU CROSS / BOSSE-DE-NAGE / MIDNIGHT ODYSSEY / MISPYRMING / KING WOMAN / SANNHET / DOPETHRONE

Nice cover, don't you think?

I have read and listened to varying opinions considering the quallity of metal releases in 2015. My point of view is always the same, though not so easy to realize. The previous year never happened and to expect a similar or better emotional gratification is misleading your listening experience.

I have listened to a number of albums, some of which are phenomenal. For example, the latest Dodheimsgard release is exceptional in it's madness or the latest Leviathan. Some might think that this isn't underground enough, so here are a few releases, and some that are going to be released, in 2015.

TAU CROSS

You know who they are? No? Maybe the name 'Away' rings some bells. Punk, metal with a rasp voice that aches for some beer.

BOSSE-DE-NAGE

Who are they? What does their name mean? What do they play? Maybe a shoegazing black metal release is something that you cring to, or maybe not.

MIDNIGHT ODYSSEY

There is a movement, an uncosncious one, of cosmic atmospheric black metal, where the stars are our friends. Listen to this and travel on a beam of light.

MISPYRMING

Icelandic black metal is a thing and their scene grows stronger and more interesting with each passing year. Some are raw, others a bit more romantic or proggy. But they do deserve our attention.

KING WOMAN

This is a deeply emotional release, where the vocal sound soulwretching and traumatising. With dreamy but yet sludgy soundscape, this EP is highly recomended to anyone who wants to dive into the melancholy of a unique individual.

SANNHET

Instrumental music can be risky, from the artists perspective. Will it be able to draw the listener in and hold him/her for the duration of the album? Will it be a guide to visualizing the listeners journey into his own reflective experience? Bands like Pelican and Russian Circles may come in mind. Give them your time.

DOPETHRONE

You know where this leads to, don't you? Where sludge can be fun and rocking. Where the riffs rise for the muddy banks of Mississipi and take you through the landscapes of South, filled with marshes and loners surviving into the wilderness, with voodoo stories and witches.

See you again in a week or so, with a FI-RE ( fiction review ) of a very unique collaboration between three black metal bands.

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OBSEQUIAE - ARIA OF VERNAL TOMBS - TWO NEW TRACKS

Obsequiae create a world that has long been dead or is to be created in another timeline. Medieval music, and not Medieval fantasy. is merged with electric guitars that are playing emphatically melodies and a voice that is soothing to an ear comfortable with these types of soundscapes.

I know nothing of the lyrics but I am amused by these two songs and excited about the new release which is scheduled for the 12th of May. Their previous effort was a unique and an uplifting metal album. Until the release of the new full length, why don't you spend some time with 'Suspended in the Brume of Eos.'? I guarantee you'll like it and I also guarantee that if you don't, you probably need to develop your taste in music.

These Minnesonians have a talent in crafting 'timeless' melodies.

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KATAVASIA - SACRILEGIOUS TESTAMENT - Metal Feed

It still amazes me how vibrant and variant the greek metal scene is. I have put some thought into it, as to find out what are the reasons that lead people to express them selves through art. My conclusions are probably false, since I've only used my critical thinking and haven't done any real discussion with artists on this matter. Primarily, I believe that we, the greeks, have an inherent need to express ourselves against our dark history. Both in wider scope and in a more narrow and closer to our time.

Difficulties, wether they are economic, national, geographical, political, lead those who suffer to a crossroad. On the one hand there is submission and on the other you have resistance. This resistance always begins from the inside, psychologically, as an internal struggle that slowly becomes greater. When it is expressed, the means that are used differ, depending on the individual and of course the cultural background.

Art is a common but a unique medium of expression. The leading forces that layed the foundations of the greek metal scene are, of course, known internationally to everyone who has an interest and a love for the extreme music. From 'Rotting Christ', 'Necromantia', 'Varathron', the greek black metal, or hellenic black metal to some, was created. Then came a number of other bands and to these days one can only be amazed by the vibrancy and artistic consistnency of the scene.

'Katavasia' is a collaboration between members of four bands that are currently active and have released in 2014, and one in 2013, albums that were well accepted by metallers worldwide. Here is the list of bands and albums of 2014 (along with links to their bandcamp page) and I strongly encourage you to listen to:

Varathron - Untrodden Corridors of Hades

Aenaon - Extance

Agnes Vein - Soulship (2013)

Hail Spirit Noir - Oi Magoi

Now, 'Katavasia' will officially release their full length in March 15 and by now have three songs available for streaming through their bandcamp page. As the band describes their sound: 

'Katavasia is a unique evil Greek alliance including members of well known occult act Varathron, prog blacksters Aenaon, gloomy doomsters Agnes Vein & psychedelic masters Hail Spirit Noir.

Katavasia's sound is based in original 90s Greek BM. The Mediterranean dark spirits are revived through the unique heavy metal chants and the unholy epic riffs.'

In these three songs one can listen to the well known riffs and leading melodies of the greek black metal scene, the atmosphere of ancient times and the harsh magisterial vocal performance combined in a familiar and very satisfying sound. Keep in touch.

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A Forest Of Stars - Beware The Sword You Cannot See - Metal Feed

120 years before our age, there is a Gentlemen's Club of “A Forest Of Stars”, an exclusive brotherhood of Victorian Englishmen who consider themselves representatives of their era, an era as glorious and splendid as it is decadent. This collective finds its musical expression in hypnotic and ghostly Black Metal, expertly streaked with elements of Ambient and Psychedelic. 

This is what is written in their bandcamp page. I’ve been following them since their debut, which was more akin to post black metal, but still weird and Victorian. Now this sounds more progressive and diverse and I am completely fine with that.

If you don’t know them you should. If you don’t like their music you should have yourself checked by a doctor. I still don’t have an opinion about this album, but I do have an affection for their music, hence I am presenting them to you. Enjoy.

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GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR - "Peasantry or 'Light! Inside of Light!" (excerpt)

The first time I listened to GY!BE I was with a friend at a cinema watching '28 days later.' In the scene where the protagonist was walking in the empty streets of London, shouting 'Hello' in despair, the music playing was the song 'East Hastings' from their first album. Both me and my friend were amazed by the emotional intensity the song communicated.

That was the first day I listened to a specific genre of rock that, as I found out later, was called 'Post Rock'. Many years have passed since that day and post rock became a major underground trend which led to this genre decline. Orchestral music can swing from deep emotional genius to plain boredom with ease. 

GY!BE is a band that never strayed from their path in order to become more popular, though they did become.  They are legend and they deserve it. Soon their sixth album will be released and here is an excerpt from one of the songs and maybe even a reminder to listen to their amazing discography.


...the car is on fire and there is no driver at the wheel...

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Melechesh - Enki - Album Stream

Here it is, in all its ancient glory. The new Melechesh album. 'This isn't underground', I here you thinking to which I reply ;'Dude, Love thy metal.'

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Lo! - The Tongueless - EP

And Lo! great riffs of doom rising from the sludged Australian lands. A land that harbors the most dangerous animals on earth and, apparently, an extreme music scene that is slowly picking up. These guys have something worhty of your time. Sentiment and a massive sound, hardcore vocals and riffs that make the ground shake. Keep an eye on them.

There is also this video showcasing that Lo! means business in the pinkiest of ways.

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Monolord - Cursing The One - track

This is how I like it. Slow, huge, diminishing of every hope, replenishing the darkness. The voice is soothing, but the riffs are disastrous. You know who else does that?

The full length is set for late April. Until then, let us prey.

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Ghost Bath - Moonlover

A beautiful song, that could be classified as post black metal, from Ghost Bath. The most interesting, if not impressive, info about this band is that they are from China. We could discuss the great influence of globalization and internet to culture and music but that would be a long conversation, especially when it is just easier to simply listen to this beautiful song.

The cover art is 'La Luna' by Luiz Gonzalez Palma.

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Aethyr - Corpus - New track - 2015

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Hacavitz - Darkness Beyond - New track - 2015

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Byzantine - A Curious Lot - New track - 2015

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