“Music is capable of many wondrous things. It can arouse the senses and instill emotion in even the most hardened of battle vesters. Its melodies can spark furious debate and vehement fervor in scenic sadboys and teeny boppers alike. Indeed, music is just about the only artistic medium that has ever successfully made me shed angry, metal man-tears.” It’s okay to cry. Now report to HR.
Post-Metal
Queen Elephantine – Kala Review
“I’ve always thought that if there were to be a musical equivalent of abstract modern art then it would come in the form of eccentric, experimental prog or post-metal – music that requires patience and an open mind to appreciate and digest – and such a description could not be apter for Providence’s Queen Elephantine.” Horton hears some drone.
Tid – Fix Idé Review
“Take a moment to drink in the epic beauty of the image to the left of this text. It’s amazing that a picture with so much monochrome can conjure such a powerful atmosphere. My expectations for the music are already sky high without hearing a single note, and are only increased on discovering that Tid (aka Time Is Divine) contains former members of Swedish experimentalists Magna Carta Cartel and Subvision. Can they possibly have come up with music that matches such an incredible visual impact?” Open the pod bay doors, Hal.
MOASE – Vertigo Review
“Post-metal thrives or dies based on its ability to evoke emotion, imagery and thought. This is doubly true for instrumental acts, where words have been abandoned in favor of ambiance and atmosphere. Enter Memoirs of a Secret Empire (MOASE).” Yes, hmm, hmm, now for the next question: Does emotional music have quite an effect on you?
The Holeum – Negative Abyss Review
“Whenever a band drops a landmark album, the inevitable game of genre pollution happens. Every now and then, one of that band’s influences creates an album or sound that’s as good, if not better, than the original. However, for the most part, the creative well runs dry after a while. Case in point: Spanish newcomers The Holeum are tossing their hats into the overly crowded post-metal ring with their debut, Negative Abyss.” Post metal for Post-Summertime.
Neurosis – Fires Within Fires Review
“When Neurosis releases an album it is an event. These guys, more than thirty years into their influential and genre-creating careers, always come up with interesting goods, and the album teaser released earlier in the year was enticing. Will the full album hold up? We sure hope so!” This is not appropriate music for a Friday.
Tardive Dyskinesia – Harmonic Confusion Review
“I’ve commented before on the excellence of select album covers and continue to keep an eye out for the very best of the bunch, often discovering new music simply on the merits of a killer Bandcamp icon. After all, if you’re an independent band with little in the way of PR, it pays to invest in a jacket that gets a listener’s proverbial foot in the door. Such seems to be the strategy of Tardive Dyskinesia, who know that even if you have a poor memory for names, at least you’ll remember this face.” Face-palm.
Morrow – Covenant of Teeth Review
“If, like me, you shuddered at Morrow’s self-described genre, relax and free your mind a bit. We’re not talking the stereotype of love songs slowed down, or grunged-up coming-of-age stories. Yet, for all the negative connotations that descriptor brings, “emokrust” fits somewhat. Honestly, if you wanted to be lazy and provocative, you could label this closer to post-metal if it makes you feel better.” We strive to be both lazy and provocative.
Vow of Thorns – Farewell to the Sun Review
“There is a hole in North American metal. The Great Cold Death of Agalloch was abrupt though not unwarranted given the air of similarity by the release of Marrow of the Spirit and the questionable success of the experimentation in The Serpent and the Sphere. It’s preferable to leave your audience wanting more than ultimately tiring them. But such was their influence that there are many bands, particularly from the Cascadian scene, which bear clear lines of affinity to them.” The mourning has not broken.
Summit – The Winds That Forestall Thy Return Review
“Solo projects are a mixed bag for me. On one hand, you’ll occasionally get a musician’s pure, unencumbered vision, free of competing egos, stylistic conflict, or bullshit social media drama that inevitably leads to a nasty breakup and months of blog posts detailing the extended legal battle over rights to the band name. More often, however, you get good ideas and musicianship hampered by a lack of self-awareness or weakened by the absence of an additional creative force. To paraphrase Stephen King, writers are often the worst judge of their own work.” And that’s where we come in.