“It’s entirely unsurprising that Weedpecker reside on the same label’s roster as Elder. Both feature groovy, stoner riffs, are progressive and are drug-fueled to differing extents. Fortunately, unlike Elder, Weedpecker aren’t unrelentingly average; in fact, they’re drastically superior.” Superior drugs make for superior rock.
Alcest
Frostreich – Join the Wind [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]
“Oh, post-black metal. Everyone’s favorite genre to either love or hate on. This little genre is either hyped too much or considerably bashed on by metalheads around the globe. It can be pretentious, it can be repetitious, and a single song can carry on for-fucking-ever. Many times, entire albums revolve around a key atmosphere that, no matter the quality of the songwriting, repeats itself across every track on the album—no matter the runtime or how many songs on the disc. And, when that first fifteen-minute piece hits, people either become absorbed or annoyed within seconds.” Break, like the wind.
Falaise – My Endless Immensity Review
“‘But.’ No other word in the English language possesses the sheer life-building/soul-crushing power of that three-letter word. It tears someone down after a volley of praise and it also builds them back up following harsh criticisms. When that word appears, shit goes down and gets real immediately.” Ifs, ands and buts.
Ghost Bath – Starmourner Review
“Tearing apart hearts and comment sections since 2014, the career of China’s North Dakota’s Ghost Bath has been deceitfully brief. The 14 months between debut Funeraland follow-up Moonlover catapulted the crew from the depths of obscurity to the position of most hyped (and most hated) band in recent memory. I’ve seen the band treated like the Second Coming, and I’ve seen the band described as “such a bag of ass.” Whatever your opinion on the matter, Starmourner puts the polarizing magnetism of Ghost Bath on full display.” Starmourner, Sunbather, Overrater?
Les Discrets – Prédateurs Review
“Prepare to enter the realm of the Non-Metal. Formed in 2003, Les Discrets are a French project started by illustrator Fursy Teyssier as a way of musically expressing the concepts in his visual art. Post-black connoisseurs may recognize Teyssier as having played alongside Alcest’s Neige in depressive rock collective Amesoeurs, in addition to producing artwork for Empyrium, Wood of Ypres, and Alcest themselves.” Be less discreet, dammit!
Asira – Efference Review
“I normally make a point of ignoring Facebook adverts. ‘I won’t be a victim to consumer culture!’ I say to myself; ‘you don’t know me!’ But the omniscient algorithms which now compose the base of all our interests and spending habits were once again validated. Promising progressive and post-metal, eye-catching artwork and a group local to me, Asira’s Efference beckoned with a sultry finger. And while I may have chided myself as I hit play on the single, I learned to re-love myself by its conclusion.” We frown on self re-loving.
Ophiuchi – Bifurcaria Bifurcata Review
“I’m about as fluent in South African metal bands as I am in French. And that’s a goddamn shame (the SA band thing, not the French thing). But, even for my limited knowledge of SA scene, I’m happy to say I spend a lot of time with a couple of good ones (Vulvodynia and Wildernessking). So, when I received a promo from a little known South African outfit (from our own SA native, Madam X), I was more than a little excited. Especially when I hit ‘play.'” This springbok has sharp horns ov iron.
Horte – Horte Review
“Scant information about Horte can be found online. Presumably Finnish but definitely human, Horte perform a difficult-to-define noise-ridden electronica-infested female-fronted bass-led fuzz-rock that combines both dreamy beauty and startling harshness. Horte, their debut release, is essentially one long song that flows from minute zero to minute 38 with an organic continuity.” GMO-free avant-rock ripe for the picking.
Falls of Rauros – Vigilance Perennial Review
“If you read my review for Falls of Rauros’ 2014 release, Believe in No Coming Shore, the score may have surprised you. How could someone sound so “impatient” with an album still give it a 3.5/5.0?” Chronic Hyper Overrating Disorder Epidemic (C.H.O.D.E.), perhaps?
Sons of a Wanted Man – Black Days Black Dust Review
“Who are Sons of a Wanted Man you ask? In short they’re a fledgling band, hailing from Beringen (Belgium). Citing the influence of Gojira, Deafheaven and Alcest, Sons of a Wanted Man dabble in introspective post-black metal, forcibly heavy sludge and raw hardcore with Black Days Black Dust claiming to journey through beauty and frenzy in equal measure.” This looks suspiciously like an EP….