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Post-metal
Forlesen – Hierophant Violent Review
“A hierophant – a word I was dimly aware of but confess that I had to look up – is a person who leads the religious into the presence of that which is deemed holy by the relevant congregation. It also a card in the tarot deck and at least one of its meanings is that of a teacher or counselor who aids the seeker in the acquisition of knowledge. Both of these meanings are wholly appropriate for Bay Area trio Forlesen’s debut, Hierophant Violent. I would estimate that, since beginning my tenure serfdom here at AMG, my musical consumption has increased by upwards of 80% and I was listening to a lot before I started. And yet it’s rare indeed that an album hits me like Hierophan Violent did.” Elephantine Hierophant.
Velnias – Scion of Aether Review
“Oppressive Rocky Mountain Dirge.” That is the descriptor Velnias uses to describe its music. Sounding more like the slop at the bottom of a bucket than something you would want to spend your time listening to, it nevertheless proves that occasionally we all need to update our bios. While “dirge” may have been Velnias’s original aesthetic when it released its debut, Sovereign Nocturnal, in 2008, the band’s output has evolved considerably since then to incorporate an array of new and different influences. Now it’s back with its third album, Scion of Aether.” Dirge purge.
Dwaal – Gospel of the Vile Review
“Dwaal is made up of six full-time members, a lot for this genre, and they spring from the sludgy post landscape founded by Neurosis. A close contemporary in sound and style would be Amenra, with both bands adept at slow building tension, but there are moments, especially in closer “Descent,” that indicate they are very much down with Why Oh Bee (yeah you know me).” Sludge hammer.
An Evening with Knives – Sense of Gravity Review
“Our latest post-metal loving Dutch trio An Evening with Knives is hoping to take a stab at the scene with their second full-length, Sense of Gravity. They advertise their sound as ‘where the wall of sound falls down into a sea of tranquility’ in a fusion of post-metal and stoner-doom. Does their intriguing premise succeed in a cut above the rest or will it just settle being another post-metal old knives’ tale?” Falling blades.
Psychonaut – Unfold the God Man Review
“I love the color purple. Such a rich palette of hues lie within this particular segment of the spectrum, all of which pair well with an extensive array of complements. Purple can convey royalty, seduction, obliteration, depression, and damn near everything else provided a competent application thereof. Of course, that holds true for most colors, but just seeing purple is more exciting to me than seeing any other color. This brings us to Belgian post-metal trio Psychonaut, whose debut album Unfold the God Man features a gorgeous cover warmly ensconced in my current color of choice.” Do not tear, fold or mutilate.
Regarde les Hommes Tomber – Ascension Review
“Regarde les Hommes Tomber’s soundscape is a vertical stack of black-, post- and sludge metal. The sound is dense and relentlessly insistent, a colliding pile of tremolo rhythms supporting ominous, towering riffs. The vocals are one part black metal screams, two parts hoarse shouts filled with desperation. The effect is like getting caught in a mudslide: unexpected speed, suffocating darkness and crushing weight, surrounded by the screams of the other unfortunate souls dragged to their deaths by the unflinching flow.” It’s the rise and fall.
Treurwilg – An End to Rumination Review
“Treurwilg draws from different doom metal traditions, particularly the strange bedfellows of post-metal and funeral doom. If Isis and Ahab were shipmates on an Oceanic journey, they’d make something like An End to Rumination.” Rumination with a view.
Izthmi – The Arrows of Our Ways Review
“For today’s examination, we have The Arrow of Our Ways, the debut full-length from Seattle upstarts Izthmi. With a promo blurb that touts a sound that blends black metal with post-rock, noise, and ambient dabblings, you’re probably thinking to yourself one of two things: “Gee, this could actually be pretty cool,” or “Gee, another Deafheaven clone.”” Stop thinking things.
Moloken – Unveilance of Dark Matter Review
“We pretend not to, but we forget about bands all the time here. I forgot about – what’s that band? – Fear Factory last week and just now forgot that my last introduction was also about forgetting. In part I have to blame the burning n00b fumes, skull pit wounds, and brain-hemorrhaging metalcore for the memory loss. Likewise, I could tell you that I forget stuff because my brain runs on eight-inch floppy discs, but in reality I made the transition to 3.5” years ago and am just bad at keeping current. Suffice it to say that I forgot about Moloken.” Remind him to always remember.