Emya

65daysofstatic – replicr, 2019 Review

By Emya on October 7, 2019 in 2019, British Metal, Experimental Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Reviews, Superball Music, Ambient, Electronic, Non-metal Metal Things, 30 comments

“65daysofstatic can do no wrong. From being invited to score the first radio adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Slaughterhouse-Five (Vonnegut fangirl here!) to soundtracking the procedurally generated open world planetary exploration game No Man’s Land, the experimental four-piece band from Sheffield, England have again and again graciously cherry-picked unique opportunities that are presented to them upon which to work their magic. 65daysofstatic meticulously piece together complex and emotional structures of sound and continually push the boundaries of what’s possible for music to convey. replicr, 2019, 65daysofstatic’s eighth studio album, is no exception.” Non-static Static.

Entrail – Eater of Starlight Review

By Emya on October 1, 2019 in American Metal, Drone, Experimental Metal, Reviews, Scry Recordings, 18 comments

“When I furtively snatched Entrail’s new album Eater of Starlight from the promo pit, I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. Given that Entrail recently played a show alongside Vouna, whose latest material was recorded entirely at Wolves in the Throne Room’s studio (Owl Lodge), and, like me, resides in the gloom-shrouded Pacific Northwest, I was easily intrigued. Choosing to review her new album was a no-brainer. Looking back, I am convinced that going in blind was the best possible way to be introduced to the one-woman experimental drone project of Christine Anderson.” Morbid entrails.

Arctos – Beyond the Grasp of Mortal Hands Review

By Emya on September 18, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Northern Silence Productions, Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, 26 comments

“The first day of fall, my favorite season of the year, is just around the corner. That means the Seattle drizzle has made an appearance, advertisements for Oktoberfest litter the streets, and the most basic of drinks (step aside White Claw), Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte, has already been available in stores for almost an entire month. Coffee drinkers and non-coffee drinkers alike, including those who consider pumpkin spice a season and not just a drink, came in droves to get their first PSLs on August 27th this year, the earliest launch ever. Thankfully, mid-September also means the release of Arctos’ highly anticipated debut full length Beyond the Grasp of Mortal Hands.” The blackness is on the pumpkin.

V – Led into Exile Review

By Emya on September 12, 2019 in 2019, Doom Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Suicide Records, Swedish Metal, Uncategorized, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge, 23 comments

“V, a doomy post-metal band from Sweden, released their first album Pathogenisis in 2017 and are back this year with a six-track concept album. Inspired by a short story concerning the departure from the hustle and bustle of civilization into the wild and remote Finnmark in Dalecarlia, Sweden, Led into Exile chronicles a story of the hardships of living in Finnmark, a will to be secluded from the rest of the world’s insanity, and the ultimate disappearance of one who surrendered to the siren song drifting from the taiga-belt.” Lost in the woods.

The Fifth Alliance – The Depth of the Darkness Review

By Emya on September 4, 2019 in 2019, ConSouling Sounds, Doom Metal, Dutch Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Sludge, Post-Metal, Sludge, 5 comments

“Take a gander at The Fifth Alliance’s new band promo shot below. What’s the first thing that comes to mind? After my first glance, I couldn’t shake the uncanny resemblance of the spotlighted line of band member heads to the Game of Thrones Hall of Faces, a seemingly endless room full of pillars housing the skinned faces of the dead sitting in wait to be wielded by one of the Faceless Men. Too grim of an intro? Perhaps, but I don’t think The Fifth Alliance would think so.” Face the darkness.

Astralium – Land of Eternal Dreams Review

By Emya on August 23, 2019 in 2019, Italian Metal, Reviews, Rockshots Records, Spiritual Beast, Symphonic Metal, Symphonic Metal, 66 comments

“Not often do shivers ripple up my spine on my morning commute. I’ll admit this feeling isn’t alien to me. Discovering transportive music that makes my heart swell is my lifeblood. I seek out shiver-inducing music, so much, in fact, that I wonder if I will one day grow immune to it. Despite this, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I rediscovered the response, known as frisson (French for “shiver”), while listening to the orchestral intro track of Astralium’s debut album Land of Eternal Dreams for the first time.” Wishes and dreams.

Deadwood Lake – Immortalised in Death Review

By Emya on August 14, 2019 in 2019, English Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, UKEM Records, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 15 comments

“Sparkling cool water gently thrums against a piece of driftwood. A tiny squirrel scurries through the underbrush. I sit atop a picnic bench beside the rock strewn shore of Diamond Lake in southern Oregon mulling over how to articulate my heavy thoughts regarding an album by a band with a similar name to the very lake I overlook. When asked how they got their name, melodic atmospheric black metal band Deadwood Lake’s response is simply “we just thought it sounded cool.” It turns out that there is in fact a body of water in northern Wisconsin with the same sinister name as this relatively new yet prolific addition to the UK’s atmoblack scene.” Death at the lake.

Thief – Map of Lost Keys Review

By Emya on July 23, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Avante Garde, Black Metal, Electronica Metal, Prophecy Productions, Reviews, Black Metal, Electronica Metal, 31 comments

“Thief is the pet project of Dylan Neal, a dulcimer player (dulcimist?) for the unconventional experimental black metal band Botanist. Thief’s music takes on a different theme entirely, however, from Botanist’s quirky style of environmentally themed “green-metal.” Map of Lost Keys, Thief’s sophomore album, swaps the hammered dulcimer for a myriad of electronics to produce late night music designed for haunted ballrooms and electric churches. While no traditional black metal demon shrieks or vicious tremolo picking can be heard on Map of Lost Keys, Thief remain obstinate in their attempt to appeal to fans of heavier genres.” Mischief managing.

Murk Rider – Exile of Shadows Review

By Emya on July 7, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Black Metal, 29 comments

“Sounds of a crackling campfire permeate the peaceful night air in the opening moments of Murk Rider’s debut full-length Exile of Shadows. Shortly thereafter, gentle acoustic guitar joins the comforting snaps and sputters. But this is no foreshadowing for a sprightly pass-the-mallow-style campfire sing-along. The addition of a creaking rope and unfamiliar bird cries contribute to generating a feeling of unease. The way Murk Rider draws upon sounds of the natural world to conjure a particular aesthetic makes it impossible to not be reminded of the haunting but soothing loon calls and melancholic folk instrumentation that start off Panopticon’s Autumn Eternal and precede a deluge of pummeling black metal.” Murking in the shadows.

Nameless Void – Nameless Void Review

By Emya on June 3, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Drone, Grey Matter Productions, Reviews, Xenoglossy Productions, Black Metal, 35 comments

“With a name and origin as mysterious as the chilling introduction of their eponymous debut EP, Nameless Void is the astral black metal duo of SN (music) and RM (vocals). Based on their description, Nameless Void draws similarities to noise/dark ambient black metal bands like Gnaw their Tongues and the terror noise-metal of Vessel of Iniquity.” I’ve been through the void on a horse with no name.