Iskra

Dawn Ray’d – Behold Sedition Plainsong Review

By Roquentin on October 25, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, British Metal, English Metal, Prosthetic Records, Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 86 comments

“Pyres become beacons as flames rise with a dangerously bright burn, lick the sky, and drape the green banks of the Sava river in a majestic red glow. It’s a transporting and defiant occasion: the roaring fires ignite our inner blaze and unite us in remembrance of Partisans like my grandfather that on May 8th, 1945 freed Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, from occupying Nazi (and collaborationist) forces. These memories of the Trnje bonfires flicker in my mind while I listen to Behold Sedition Plainsong, the second full-length of Liverpool black metal trio Dawn Ray’d. Because this is a music of awakening that sweeps away the waters of Lethe meant to make us forget what the liberation from occupation and similar historic moments stood for then and today.” Music with a cause.

Dawn Ray’d – The Unlawful Assembly [Things You Might Have Missed 2017]

By Roquentin on January 7, 2018 in Black Metal, British Metal, English Metal, Feast of Tentacles, Halo of Flies, Prosthetic Records, Things You MIght Have Missed 2017, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 86 comments

“Dawn Ray’d’s black metal is dense and aggressive, often almost too brutal and hasty in its delivery, as if crumbling under the pressure of channeling the musicians’ revolt at the systemic inequality and oppression. Yet, at the same time, Dawn Ray’d deliver an incredibly melodic and tuneful sound.” OCCUPY!

Allochiria – Throes Review

By Mark Z. on March 18, 2017 in 2017, Art of Propaganda, Greek Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Sludge, Post-Metal, 22 comments

“While I’ve enjoyed some Pelican, Isis, and Light Bearer in my day, often the genre’s huge soundscapes and slow-burning buildups are simply too demanding for me to enjoy on a regular basis. On 2014’s debut Omonoia, Greek quintet Allochiria seemed to fit largely in this same mold. Drawing comparisons to the sludgy expanse of Year of No Light, a cursory listen revealed a layered, cerebral album whose dystopian atmosphere was delivered via a measured, methodical pace. Throes, however, is a much different beast — and one I think I’ll be spinning far more often.” Post beast is the new game in town.

Cara Neir/Wildspeaker – Guilt and His Reflection [Split] Review

By Mark Z. on September 16, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Broken Limbs Recordings, Crust Punk, Hardcore, Reviews, Sludge, Black Metal, Crust Punk, Hardcore, Sludge, 23 comments

“Crack a beer and grab a seat. Today’s entertainment is a double feature from two Texas-based bands with a proclivity for taking black metal and turning it on its ugly, corpse-painted head. First up is Cara Neir, an idiosyncratic, punky duo whose hardcore-tinged blackness often lends itself to wild stylistic forays, as heard on 2013’s Portals to a Better, Dead World. On the flip side is Wildspeaker, a crustier, sludgier outfit who formed in 2013 and released debut Survey the Wreckage last year. They’re here to deliver Guilt and His Reflection, 13 tracks depicting ‘humanity crumbling into itself’ through ‘the story of post-civilization sins committed when desperation overwhelms.'” That certainly sounds cheery.

The AMG Staff Picks the Top Ten Records o’ 2015: There’s No Accounting for Anything Anymore

By Angry Metal Guy on December 21, 2015 in 2015, Blog Posts, 210 comments

“We’ve reached the end of 2015 and this year I’m personally editing these Top Ten lists. For the first time (ever) I am reading the production of the different writers we’ve assembled over the last few years. I am shocked. I am dismayed. I feel angry, offended, galled. But I am not surprised. Under Steel Druhm and Madam X‘s indulgent care and averted gaze the young Angry Metal Staffers have run amok. Alas, after having actually consumed of the words these gentlemen produce, I’m firing them all. It’s back to the drawing board: me, Steel Druhm, and as much metalcore as you can eat!”

Iskra – Ruins [Things You Might Have Missed 2015]

By Mark Z. on December 14, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Crust Punk, Things You Might Have Missed 2015, Black Metal, Crust Punk, 18 comments

“Despite what the general public may think, extreme metal is rarely written by extreme people. For all the songs about devouring maggot-ridden brains and summoning Shub-Niggurath, we all know that Corpsegrinder is really just a huge World of Warcraft nerd, and Trey Azagthoth is actually a closet Sailor Moon fanboy (and occasional emulator of the late Steve Irwin). Canada’s Iskra, however, is different.” Different like Glen Benton?