Things You Might Have Missed 2021

The EP, Split, and Single Post Part I [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By El Cuervo on January 6, 2022 in Blog Posts, Things You Might Have Missed 2021, 85 comments

A mighty host of quality EPs arrived in 2021. Did you miss some and/or all of them? We’re here to help.

Abstract Void – Wishdream [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Dr. Wvrm on January 2, 2022 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Synthwave, 21 comments

“In hindsight, 2018 stood me at an imperceptible crossroads: the intersection of my growing disenchantment with metal and a void-filling infatuation with the electronic. The latter was encouraged, if not inspired, by a Frankensteinian atmoblack/synthwave monster released at the improbably right space-time to capitalize on the trends I loved and tired of. Abstract Void’s Back to Reality would ride that wave of serendipity to become my most listened-to album of the next few years. At least until Wishdream came along.” Void when wished at night.

Khirki – Κτηνωδία [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Kenstrosity on December 24, 2021 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Folk Metal, Hard Rock, Post-Grunge, 27 comments

“Hard rock and post-grunge are pretty much dead to me. After being a huge fan of that kind of stuff in the mid-aughts, my tastes started to branch out into other avenues. Once that happened, every new record in that scene sounded the same as the last one, regardless of what band released what album. Seeing no evolution or novelty anywhere just confirmed for me that there was nothing left to look forward to. Then Khirki arrives, and I’m all fucked up. How dare the Greek trio choose fucking 20-goddamn-21 to release a post-grunge debut record, entitled Κτηνωδία, that actually rocks hard back to front?!” Hellenic heroics.

Whitechapel – Kin [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Dear Hollow on December 23, 2021 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Deathcore, Progressive Metal, 27 comments

“Kin, as its name perhaps suggests, is a distillation of the themes expressed in The Valley: family. Bozeman laments his family’s disintegration and his own loss of innocence throughout, represented through a breed of deathcore even more mature than its predecessor. The heavy hits heavier, the bleeding heart hemorrhages thicker, and the songwriting accomplishes a storytelling flow to relate it all.” Deathcore in the family.

Cara Neir – Phase Out [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Dr. Wvrm on December 23, 2021 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, 14 comments

“Oftimes, “experimental” is just a nicer way of saying “incomprehensible” or “long-winded”, “avant-garde” a tidier “sucked up its own ass.” Metal is at its best when it’s truly different, not just strange. Cara Neir received high praise their last time out, but I didn’t hear it. Until now, very little from the Texans intrigued me, nothing I couldn’t swap for some Warheads at the lunch table. Until now.” 8-bits a biting.

Violet Cold – Empire of Love [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Doom_et_Al on December 22, 2021 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Black Metal, Post-Metal, 44 comments

“In a genre of music that is often deliberately controversial, the cover of Empire of Love by Violet Cold may be one of the most provocative of the year. But unlike other artists where this seems, at times, needless (ahem, Bloody Cumshot, ahem), Empire of Love’s provocation serves a serious and noble purpose. Mastermind Emin Guliyev’s native Azerbaijan has the worst human rights record for LGBTQI people in all of Europe. There is no protection for this community, and atrocities and hate-crimes against them are a depressingly regular occurrence. So to superimpose the Azerbaijan flag onto the pride flag is both a middle finger to his nation’s bigotry and hate, and a challenge to black metal fans who believe the subgenre must conform to their narrow interpretation of it.” Pride and justice.

Sur Austru – Obărșie [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Twelve on December 20, 2021 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 34 comments

“Earlier this year, Huck N Roll reviewed the final full-length release from Negură Bunget, following Gabriel Mafa’s tragic passing in 2017. For several now-former members of the group, however, the musical journey, and spirit of Negură Bunget, persists in the form of Sur Austru, which was formed in 2018 to continue that musical legacy.” Onward.

Vindicator – Communal Decay [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Angry Metal Guy on December 20, 2021 in Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Thrash Metal, 12 comments

“For my money, Vindicator was always underrated re-thrash, notwithstanding my concern about their collective understanding of monetary policy. Nearly 10 years later, the brothers Stown (Vic on guitars and vox and Jesse on drums) have reunited to bring us a new slab of post-Bay Area re-thrash called Communal Decay. What ensues is not surprising, but it’s teeming with old school riffing and features a short and sweet 31-minute runtime.” Did you miss it? We sure as hell did.

Hollywood Burns – The Age of the Saucers [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Kenstrosity on December 18, 2021 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Electronic, Non-metal Metal Things, Synthwave, 26 comments

“You can probably already tell that this is not a metal album. Maybe you can’t, I dunno. Either way, I can attest that this here album is awesome. Hollywood Burns is far from a household name, but French darksynth upstart Emeric “Hollywood Burns” Levardon deserves a big reputation boost coming off of his latest opus, The Age of the Saucers. Alien abductions abound and riffy electronic buzzery surround, handily securing my attention as he serves everything I want in music through his unique synthwave lens.” Watch the skies.

Black Sheep Wall – Songs for the Enamel Queen [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Dear Hollow on December 17, 2021 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Doom Metal, Mathcore, Post-Hardcore, Post-Metal, Shoegaze, Sludge Metal, 22 comments

“I remember when Black Sheep Wall “qualified” for an Encyclopedia Metallum profile with sophomore effort No Matter Where It Ends. Kind of pedantic and nitpicky, but then again, their blend of sludge metal, post-metal, doom, and post-hardcore is bound to be divisive. The California quintet offers their fourth full-length Songs for the Enamel Queen, an expertly written and superbly executed mass of concrete-thick sludge metal injected with tumorous melodies and shifty rhythms.” Of Sheep and sludge.