2013 Finnish albums and EPs you might be missing out part 2

Insomnium: Ephemeral

I am not going to lie: Insomnium has been one of my favorite acts from Finland ever since I heard Above The Weeping World album. Naturally I was more than excited to hear that before the new album is out in 2014, they are going to release a new track and three acoustic songs (instrumentals) that were previously dropped from other albums. My excitement quickly changed to disappointment: acoustic instrumentals and only one new song? I decided to push play on Ephemeral nonetheless and the rest is history.

I don't know what it is, but Ephemeral has some of most uplifting lyrics and joyful feeling I have had in a long time. Especially this part is the greatest:

Dying doesn't make this world dead to us
Breathing doesn't keep the flame alive in us
Dreaming doesn't make time less real for us
One life
One chance
All ephemeral

We are all here for just this brief moment that is nothing compared to the universe. Why not make the best of it? I find myself sometimes taking things too hard, over-analyzing and worrying about things that are totally out of my control. Why? I don't know why, but every time I hear this song I loosen up and smile.

I first heard the song about three months ago and now my playcount is 48, so you could say I really love this song. I don't really care even if it sounds a bit poppy, has a radio friendly chorus or lighter guitar sound: the atmosphere and the feeling this song gives me it beyond words. In addition all the three acoustic pieces turned out to be killer: I don't have to skip none of them when I play the EP. I cannot even begin thinking an album full of Ephemeral class songs, that would send my flying backwards. Instead I am trying hard to forget that Insomnium is in the studio and just focus on the message: one life, one change, all ephemeral!




Ranger: Knights Of Darkness

Being a Finn and a metalhead, I always smile ear-to-ear when I found a new band from my own country. Ranger hails from Helsinki and although they have been active a few years, I didn't even know these guys existed before I noted a 5/5 review from a Finnish webzine. Naturally I jumped on this review: what is this, is there yet another band I have somehow missed?

Knights Of The Darkness is an EP including five tracks of Finnish speed metal. That's right: speed metal. The sound takes me immediately back to 1980's golden years and when the first song, Ranger, starts I am immediately floored: moaning thrashy guitars, John Cyriis (ex-Agent Steel) like high-pitched screams and ferocious drumming: all the elements you need to have your speed metal cocktail ready. Touch Of Death takes me back immediately to my golden years in the 1980's when I still had hair, was wearing my brand new Adidas sneakers and a denim vest: ah, the good ol' days.

I am enjoying tremendously the energy these young guys have, this is exactly what the Finnish metal music scene needs: great songs, relentless energy and young, talented guys with the attitude to rule the entire world. I can already imagine being on their gig and it makes my excited and almost sweating as the uncontrollable headbanging will probably not end. I don't know about you, but I need to press play again on these clips and start looking for that denim vest...

Listen here (includes the ordering link from Ektro Records):



Beastmilk: Climax

The next album may not be metal, but it kicks ass big time so I see no need to exclude it from my picks. I still remembers a few years back when I saw Killing Joke in Ilosaarirock. The band's name didn't actually ring a bell, but hearing some of their hit songs made me curious. I got acquainted with their discography and especially their last two albums have been on rotation in my player quite often. In general, I don't want to be controlled too much in my music taste: I want to be able to listen to whatever I want whether it is post-rock, pop, ambient, blues or post-punk.

Beastmilk is a brand-new act from Helsinki featuring Mathew "Kvohst" McNerney on vocals. You may know him from Hexvessel. Beastmilk play industrial and British sounding post-punk. They are not entirely breaking new ground, but what they do, they do extremely well. Climax is the debut album and it features ten catchy punkish anthems. First thing that steals your attention that the production makes you feel like you are in night club in downtown London and the second that these guys have crafted songs that will be hunting you for days (e.g. the chorus on Death Reflects Us or Genocidal Crush).

I was fortunate to catch them warming Solstafir a month back and they convinced me that these guys are going to make it big. There is just something really likable and catching about this band and I really hope the international breakthrough is in the making.

Listen to the entire album below and support the band:




October Falls: The Plague Of A Coming Age

October Falls (originally a solo project of Mikko Lehto) hails from Helsinki and has been active a little more than ten years now. The Plague Of A Coming Age is the band's fourth full length on Debemur Morti Productions and in addition to M. Lehto on guitars and vocals features Sami Hinkka (Ensiferum) on bass and Marko Tarvonen (Barren Earth, Moonsorrow, Chaosbreed and Thy Serpent) on drums plus guest appearance from Tomi Joutsen (Amorphis) on tracks The Plague Of A Coming Age and Boiling Heart Of The North. That is one kick-ass line-up but so is the music.

October Falls' sound is melancholic, moody and could be labelled as dark metal. M. Lehto's vocals are harsh, but they are not growls. Guitars are not downtoned, instead the sound is crisp, melodic and powerful. The songs have been shortened from the previous album (A Collapse Of Faith) and the sound is more accessible and dynamic and less doomy. The atmosphere is created through powerful and melancholic guitar melodies/passage and subdued vocals. There is a lot to like about this album. First of all the atmosphere is very fitting to me, especially when you listen to it on a rainy day. The musicianship is stellar, the compositions are well-crafted and the songs have similar backbone but enough variations to keep it interesting. My personal highlights on the album are The Verge Of Oblivion, Bloodlines, Snakes Of The Old World and Boiling Heart Of The North.

I hope this band would reach more attention with this release as it is one the best metal albums from Finland this year!

Listen and support here:

Alghazanth: The Three-Faced Pilgrim

Alghazanth plays symphonic black metal and hails from Jyväskylä, Finland. The band has been around for almost twenty years now, but I discovered them back in 2011 with their previous album Vinum Intus and it what an excellent release it is. The band had a major line-up change in 2011 when Goat Tormentor (Mikko Kotamäki) left the band to pursue his career with other bands like Swallow The Sun and Kuolemanlaakso. Luckily the replacement was found quickly as bassist Thasmorg (Mika Kaakkolahti) stepped up to fulfill the duties. He guy is not entirely new behind the mic as he has sung on the debut album Thy Aeons Envenomed Sanity back in 1999.

The Three-Faced Pilgrim is the band's seventh full length on Woodcut Records and has been out since 13 December, so this is very fresh blood. I have to confess that I had been waiting for this album eagerly and to my satisfaction it delivers big time. The songs continue in the same vein where Vinum Intus left off: long, symphonic compositions with many tempo changes and structures inside each song. Thasmorg handles the vocal duties very fittingly with his nasty and throaty performance. The overall production of the album is fitting in my ear and the atmosphere is maintained masterfully throughout the album. My only complaint is that if you listen to the about many times in a row, the song tend to blend in with each other and you could get lost. However, it is far too early to say whether this is criticism or not.

I have seen Alghazanth live once together with the mighty Inquisition and Primordial back in 2011 in Hammer Open Air. It was actually already then when Thasmorg took over the vocal duties. I have no complaints from that show, other than my neck was pretty sore the next morning from all the headbanging.

Listen to AdraMelekTaus below and support this great band.

Jess And The Ancient Ones: Astral Sabbat

Jess and the Ancient Ones is a ritual magic (taken from their Facebook page) band from Kuopio. The sound is rich and retro paying homage to 70's blues driven hard rock. The total number of musicians in the band is seven consisting of three guitarist, a bass player, keyboard player, drummer & percussionist and of course Jess herself behind the mic. I can still remember when I heard their first single 13th Breath Of The Zodiac. I needed to google immediately where is this band coming from and are they really Finnish. An hour or so, my order had already been sent to Svart Records for their self-titled debut album.

First thing that grabs your attention is Jess' warm, powerful and elegant vocals. I have seem them live a couple times already and I can confirm that she can deliver live too. Next thing you notice is the wall of guitar sound provided by three harsh looking, tattooed fellows. I have learnt some of them used to play death metal back in the days and that explains why some of the moves on stage include hair tossing and moshing. Astral Sabbat is a mini-Cd including three songs: two entirely new and one Shocking Blue cover, Long and Lonesome Road. The song Astral Sabbat takes you into Tarantino sounding soundscape with surf guitar tone and 70's synthesizer sound. It is not a classic tune from JATAO, but a very good song indeed. The closer More Than Living is the reason you need to hear and buy this record. This close to fifteen minute opus has all the elements as why you need to fall in love with them: stellar songwriting, emotions from slow and fragile vocals to full-driven onslaught in the end accompanied by Jess' amazing vocal delivery.

JATAO is already recognized outside the boarders of Finland and all for the right reason: these guys are capable of becoming the next major export in music as the hunger for female fronted rock and doom is ever increasing. 

Watch the official video for Astral Sabbat here:

2013 Irish albums you may be missing out

Mourning Beloveth: Formless

Irish Mourning Beloveth has been around for more than 20 years now. They play death doom metal with lyrical themes dealing anguish, despair and despondency and my first encounter with them was about three or four years ago. I haven't been a doom lover in the past, but somehow that all changed in the 2000's. It was not only anxiety in my own personal life that pushed me searching to gloom, depressive and mournful sounds but also my musical progression and desire for longer, more profound, thoughtful and epic songs. When I first heard The Mountains Are Mine or the entire Sullen Sulcus album, I was sold: this is how doom should sound in my ears.

Formless is only the fifth full length in their career, but what they lack in quantity they surpass in quality. The album is sorrowful, it is slow, it is emotional and it is monstrous in length: six songs and total playing time over 80 minutes. Only one song is below 10-minute mark, the others usually clocking in at quarter of an hour. What I love about this band are the harmonies the vocalists Frank Brennan (guitar & clean vocals) and Darren Moore (harsh vocals) are able to produce. Especially Frank's emotional singing style and the vocal delivery is one of the highlights of the year. Take for example Nothing Has A Centre: Frank gives one of the best, if not the best, vocals I have heard all year. Only Jón Hansen from Hamferd is able to fight back if you ask me.

Formless has been out since February and I have been playing it quite a lot. There is not much I can argue about the album, sure some songs could have been cut out to make it more radio friendly, but I am guessing this is not the direction or the desire of the band. One thing about the album is certain: it requires your total and utter attention as the songs are really consuming, strenuous and demanding. However when you reach the end of the album Nothing Has A Centre and the closing track Transmissions leave you in awe. This is one of the finest doom albums this year and I strongly urge you to check them out.

Listen to the opening track below:



Mael Mórdha: Damned When Dead

I am a sucker for Primordial, Ireland and pagan metal. Combine all these three elements and the result is Mael Mórdha, a little brother to the mighty Primordial. Some people hate the comparisons to other bands as each and every band wants to be known from its own songs and achievements. Mael Mórdha does not have to keep its head in the bush as it clearly rides on its own material, material which is actually pretty effing good.

Damned When Dead is band's fourth full length and first on Candlelight Records. Their sound is folky doom pagan metal in the roots of Primordial, DoomSword and Moonsorrow. Singer Roibéard Ó Bogail sounds clearly irish and his vocal style is emotional and patriotic. The production on the album is fitting and flow of the songs is usually mid-tempo and lyrics deal with Celtic Mythology and Folklore. Guitar tone is not super heavy yet crispy and balanced. What makes this album a winner in my books are the folk driven melodies give the album an atmosphere that separates them from the mass. I hope these guys would tour Finland soon in order to witness their stamina live.

Support the guys here: http://maelmordha.bandcamp.com


Altar Of Plagues: Teethed Glory & Injury

Remember when I was talking about the coolest album covers with Ataraxie? Well, Teethed Glory & Injury may have the other one fighting for that top position. How often have you seen a ballet dancer twisted in almost bearable position in a post-black metal album? Never? That's what I thought too.

In the beginning it was not clear to me that Altar Of Plagues called it quits after this album. Having listened to it 20 times or more, I now understand: where could they probably have gone from here? The album is not perfect, but it offers some the most out-of-the-box thinking and songwriting I have heard this year. It is almost as if James Kelly & the gang had an infernal vision that when we live, we go out with a big bang. They sure were able to execute this plan note by note. You have seen it on year-end lists and they deserve to be there for sure. I am going to tell you a secret though.

When I first heard God Alone, the first single from the album and saw the video with ballet dancers, I thought immediately: these guys have clearly lost it now. Where is my Cascadian style black metal, tremolo riffing and long 10-minute mark breaking epic songs? All these elements are missing from this album. Instead they have incorporated a haunting, industrial keyboards elements, post-rock style interludes and strong electronic fluence. As if you were listening to some sort of hybrid of post-rock, industrial hardcore and post-black metal. This is the reason why the scores for this album range from 11% to 97%, you are either going to love it or hate it.

Teethed Glory & Injury is the final vision of the band. Rest assured, all members pursue their musical career in other projects, one of which is Malthusian whose totally ripping demo I have reviewed in my earlier post. On the other hand, James Kelly is continuing with Wife, which has no metal elements at all and takes him to more electronic sounds. Take it or leave it, Altar Of Plagues exits the black metal scene on a high mark in my books although I am still having mixed feeling about the album sometime. Some days I am missing the long and epic black metal songs and other days I am really enjoying the groundbreaking sound and songwriting they present on their last album. The only thing I am more than gutted is that I never got to witness them live, by the time they were performing in Finland last year, I was safely attending Amon Amarth concert thinking these guys are sure coming back, they are still young. Boy was I wrong about that.

Listen and support below:




Dread Sovereign: Pray To The Devil In Man

Altar Of Plagues doing electronic black metal and Nemtheanga doing doom metal and playing bass? Has the entire Ireland gone bonkers? Dread Sovereign features Nemtheanga on bass and Sol Dubh on drums from Primordial and Bones on guitar from Wizards of Firetop Mountain. The trio was activated this year and Pray To The Devil In Man is their first EP on Roadburn Records. Dread Sovereign also played their first gig in Roadburn Festival 2013 this year and yes, I did not witness it. Unlike my imagination, my monetary funds are limited people.

When you first press play you grab the cover to check is it really Nemtheanga on vocals? Yup, the guy sounds actually like Ozzy on some parts sounding nasal and tense, but then effortlessly goes lower to his trademark register. I cannot stop admiring his talent and his attitude while performing on stage, every show I have been to he gives 100% to the fans, no less. I still remember the goosebumps I had when I first heard him shouting: "We are Primordial and we come from the Republic Of Ireland". Bloody hell, I almost wet my pants that day!

Pray To The Devil In Man features three tracks and 21 minutes of doom. The songs are pretty slow-paced and the melodies are sorrowful. The guys don't show off by giving you tapping solos or flaunt with technically difficult songs, but somehow the atmosphere is very down to earth and honest. This EP is best digested having some strong hopped beer or Irish whiskey. Consume with care.

Listen to the first single Thirteen Clergy To The Flames below:




Nomadic Ritual: Holy Giants

I stumbled across these guys by accident (as I have done with many unknown, but totally awesome bands before). After a brief homework session I learnt they are located in Belfast, Northern Ireland and are new to the scene. Holy Giants is the band's debut full length and they are offering it Name Your Price on Bandcamp. Actually both Limited Editions on tape and CD are sold out, but you can support the guys on Bandcamp directly by giving a few euros for the next pint of Guinness.

Nomadic Rituals play caveman doom (or something like that) where the sound of the bass so down-toned and crushingly heavy that you feel like your ears are ready to go deaf and heart is jumping out of your chest. There are no catchy choruses you can sing-along to, instead plenty to super gloom and heavy doom that will break your neck and vibrate the shirt you are wearing just as a reminder that not all music is intended to make you draw flowers or make you happy. I am not ready to slit my wrists either after this, in fact I am curious as hell to see if these guys are able to pull it off live. Good job guys and hopefully the Guinness money will start pouring in after all four people reading my blog will contribute you on Bandcamp. Sláinte!

Stream the album here and support!

2013 EPs, Demos, Splits, Covers, Singles worth checking out Part II

Árstíðir lífsins

Helrunar

 Fragments - A Mythological Excavation

Árstíðir lífsins is Icelandic and means "The Seasons Of Life". The band has been active only five years now and they write long, epic folky black metal songs based on careful research and scientific literature. It goes without saying that it is not the aim of this band to be affiliated with any politically charged scene within Metal. Árstiðir lífsins wants to present itself as an intelligently crafted work of art independent from any narrow-minded dogma. If you are new to these guys, I would strongly recommend checking their entire discography, both albums are simply great.

Vindsvalarmál is close to twenty minute epic ranging from one emotion to another. Though Metal and Folk are the most dominant musical influences in the music of Árstíðir lífsins, several other forms also add their qualities to the final result. Music and lyrics are tightly interwoven and change continuously, closely following the story told. That is why harsh, uncompromising Black Metal parts fade into folkloristic choir passages. This sentence was taken from their webpage as I couldn't have said it better myself. The vocals are extremely raw and passionate, giving you the feeling you are actually sitting by a campfire watching the vikings roar and telling their story. I have heard this song fifteen times already, but I always find new things with it, this is what makes this band very interesting but on the other hand very demanding.

Helrunar was born in Münster, Germany back in 2001 and it features Skald Draugir on vocals, who is part of Árstiðir lífsins too. I have to admit that I haven't followed their career quite actively, but I think it is changing. Why? Because Wein für Polyphem is really good and versatile song and holds up its site on the split very well. Both songs take their time and space to get full force, but once they reach their peaks you cannot stop banging your head uncontrollably. The songwriting on both songs proves why you don't lose your interest although these two songs could easily make two entire grindcore or powerviolence albums.

Helrunar is probably easier to approach as the lyrics, although sung in German, have a clear chorus which you can relate to. Vindsvalarmál is harder to get into due to having very little to sing-along to, but the atmosphere is very well executed and the orchestral parts add value to the entire experience. This split is well worth the purchase and a great listen while conquering new ground or taking a long hike in the forest.

Listen to both songs below and buy it on Van Records.

Amiensus

Oak Pantheon

Gathering

Amiensus is one of my new findings from Bandcamp. They only released their debut album Restoration on Pest Productions last year and now they offer a CD split with Oak Pantheon on Tridroid Records. Restoration took me by surprise as this young band is clearly enthusiastic and passionate about the music they create. Some songs on Restoration remind me of Opeth and that is a compliment to these guys. Arise is Amiensus' longest song to date reaching the ten minute mark and these guys are in it to win it. Amiensus' style could be described as progressive black metal and the song offers clean and harsh vocals and melodic passages holding the act together.

Oak Pantheon is another stellar finding from Bandcamp a few years ago as they reminded me of Agalloch. Some people might call them copycats, but there is a lot more these guys have to offer. Their entire discography is impressive and especially Architecht of the void Pt II from their EP The Void 2011 is one of my favorite tracks in the last two years: that guitar melody is simply haunting! Their sound is slightly different on A Gathering, but I am still enjoying it tremendously.

Most of all the guys are some of the nicest guys in the industry! Back in the day my order for From A Whisper was almost lost in the mail as Katrina hit the Broken Limbs Recordings warehouse and since it was not sure if my order would reach me, the guys sent me a copy from their personal collection along with a note that their entire discography would be free for me for life, now how cool is that?

Listen to the split here and support the guys!

Conan

Bongripper

Zero Talent / Beheaded

Conan is as crushing as it should be. The name compels the band to sound massive, primitive and cannibalistic and that is exactly what this Liverpool trio does. The guitar is downtoned, the sound is heavy and since they play really caveman like doom, it is slow and loud. Conan has been active only since 2006 and their debut album, Monnos, was highly acclaimed in 2012 lists. You should check out this beast here.

Beheaded is a 17-minute crushing journey to the roots of doom. There is little to complain about the song if you value stoner doom. They don't show off by playing fast solos or writing one liner choruses, but the heavy and overwhelming atmosphere they can create is like a ten ton hammer crushing you like a worthless maggot. I have yet to experience these guys live, so I cannot tell you whether my heart is going to jump out of my chest, but ask me again in April cause they are coming to Tampere then. 

Chicago's Bongripper plays instrumental doom and have been around the same time as Conan, so they fit perfectly together in this split. Unfortunately I still haven't checked their entire back catalog, but Satan Worshipping Doom is downright heavy and as nasty as a nail under your fingernail. It has only four songs, but you get close to 53 minutes of heavy stoner doom to keep you warm. What about the song titles? Hail, Satan, Worship, Doom? Combine that with the name of the band and we have a winner again.

Once Zero Talent (gotta love these guys) kicks in, you can expect heavy riffing and a bass that will have your heart skipping a few beats every now and then. The heavy and massive guitar wall is thicker than Conan's and more versatile, but since there are no vocals the guys are keeping me focused and eager to hear the next passage or riff. This is pretty much the perfect song to work out to, you can torture yourself as much as you like as these guys will not give in. As far as I know Bongripper is currently unsigned, but I am guessing it won't last long.

Listen here and support these great bands!

Solstice: Death's Crown Is Victory

Although Solstice have been around since 1990, only two albums have surfaced so far: Lamentations from 1994 and New Dark Age from 1998. Solstice plays epic traditional heavy / doom and their sound is clear and majestic. To my ear their style is reminiscent to Atlantean Kodex, Solitude Aeturnus and Candlemass. I have to admit that I was not familiar with band before, but I am glad I found them. Based on the reactions on the net, their return was more than hoped and on Bandcamp and Last.Fm the fans are praising their return. 

Death's Crown Is Victory is a might four-track EP featuring entirely new band with guitarist Richard M. Walker being the only remaining founding member in the band. The EP starts with Fortress England, a three minute instrumental which set the mood perfectly. By the time I Am The Hunter kicks in you will hear powerful riffing and traditional, true heavy metal atmosphere. Paul Kearns behind the mic fits perfectly to the band and his sound is soft and powerful. There is a lot to like about this EP: first of all everything is somehow fitting: the production, the atmosphere and the vocals. If you like traditional heavy metal with a touch of doom, you would be fool to pass this by. 

Listen and support here:

Bölzer: Aura

Bölzer hails from Zurich, Switzerland and have been established in 2008. There are only two guys in the band: drummer HzR and guitarist & vocalist KzR. Thus you could easily compare them to Columbian black metal masters Inquisition, but their sound is more death than black metal to me. I knew absolutely nothing about this band, but as their name kept popping up on magazines and webzines posting their best of 2013 lists. As soon as I found them from Iron Bonehead Bandcamp, I was instantly hooked.

Aura is a three-track EP offering twenty minutes of relentless, crushing death / black metal. Their sound is based on heavy riffing, pulsating drumming and crushing vocals. They atmosphere they can create with just guitar and drums is really exquisite and fitting. One would think the songs need bass or another guitar to sound complete, but the guys pull it off. Especially the riffing in Entranced By The Wolfshook will have you headbanging the entire week and is easily one of the biggest surprised I have heard this year. So far the only complaint I have heard is that why is this EP so short. Haha, well three songs will have your body craving for more and based on this ruthless attack I am pretty sure the guys will be dropping a full length next year. Here's to hoping.

Listen and support the band here:

Atomic Aggressor

Death Yell

Blind Servants / Back From The Depths Split

Atomic Aggressor and Death Yell are two death/black metal bands from Chile. I had absolutely no information on these bands before, but it was yet another link on Facebook I clicked (luckily) and I was hooked and did my homework on the bands. 

Atomic Aggressor has been active almost thirty years now (vow!) and so far they have released only three demos, a compilation and a live album. Death Yell's history is pretty much the same: a demo, a split, an EP and a compilation since they formed back in 1986. Then again both bands called it quits in the early 1990's and have now been reactived and I am glad they did.

Blind Servants starts with downtoned guitar tone and blasting drumming. The song grabs you by the balls instantly and headbanging is imminent. Atomic Aggressor's style is old school death metal with modern twist and they remind me of Morbid Angel and Disma. The only complaint I have is the a bit muddy production, but it doesn't take away the fact that the song kicks ass.

Back From The Depths doesn't really slow things down and is even better in my opinion. I remember when I first heard it, the guitar riff on the chorus was stuck in my head for days and I kept repeating it. There is something really catchy about this song and it takes me back to the good ol' death metal days. The production is a bit flat here too, but the song kicks so much ass that it really doesn't matter.

I hope both bands will release their first full lenghts on 2014 and deserve more recognition. I need to do my homework on Chilean death metal too (note to self).

Listen to the split here on Hell's Headbangers Bandcamp page:

Aylwin

Stellar Descent

Farallon

Enter another two entirely new bands from US I had never heard before. Aylwin hails from California playing atmospheric black metal with lyrical themes about nature (as you can expect from the cover art) and atavism. Their sound is reminiscent of US Cascadian Black Metal with lengthy and epic songs concentrating on riffages, building atmosphere on distorted guitars and wailing vocals. There is really little to complain about Aylwin side of the split,  My Spirit of Pine and the Outer Body Experience: A Sequence of Night and Day. The song is a 14-minute composition starting with eerie female chanting before blasting into black metal beat and relentless riffing. It has all the classic elements of atmospheric black metal and it is best listened upon a cold, frosty night looking at the stars. If you happen to live in a wooden cottage up in the mountains sipping your last drop of whiskey by the campfire I would assume the surroundings would be perfect for this record.

Stellar Descant is Anthony W's one-man project from Oregon and has been active since 2010. The guy is pretty productive and has managed to put out two demos, two full-lengths and two splits so far. My first encounter was with Farallon split and it caught my attention immediately. Farallon: A Sequence of Subduction and Orogeny is a 29-minute monolith and returning to it now while writing this takes me back in emotions. Although the song is long including from distorted riffing and blast beat drumming to acoustic guitar passages, bird shrieking samples and native American percussion like drum parts, the entire composition holds well together and takes you to places. To me the high point is the relentless drumming accompanied by wailing and high-pitched screams, man I do feel alive at that point. I would use the term my friend is using and makes me smile everytime: "Sent me flying backwards".

There are quite a lot atmospheric, forest worshiping bands from the US lately (especially Cascadian region), but for some reason their atmosphere and message fits me perfectly. Everything is somehow down-to-earth, believable and honest. The production is not perfect but the raw and emotional soundscape, undying energy and honesty is something you can relate to easily. To me it feels these guys are creating the music they have always wanted, download it up to Bandcamp with pay what you will option and probably hope that at some point a music lover from Indonesia, Canada, China, Russia, Chile or Finland will find you and promote you in his/her blog. I love doing this and I hope you love reading this as much.

Listen/download to the entire split here and support these great bands:

2013 albums you may be missing out part 3

Vallendusk: Black Clouds Gathering

How many black metal bands do you know from Indonesia? Well, I used to know none but not anymore: enter Vallendusk. They are a young Jakarta-based band where the guys are in their late 20's or early 30's and they play atmospheric black metal where guitars take the lead. I guess it might be safe to say that Black Clouds Gathering contains some of the most intriguing and versatile guitar work I have heard this year. The tone is actually not heavy or downtoned, but more like crispy and melancholic. It's not groundbreaking, but the atmosphere they can create with the lengthy songs clicked with me immediately. 

I found these guys totally by accident via Pest Productions newsletter, but I am so glad I did. I am now at my 23rd or 24th time spinning the album as I am writing this, so you could say there is something magical about it. I can't really put my finger on it, but I am totally enjoying this. The vocals are pretty atypical for the genre, it's not actually growling but more aggressive and raspy yet far from sounding hardcore or metalcore. What I like the best is that the mix is not too much in the back, the production is pretty airy and gives plenty of room for the songs to breathe and grow. This album is one of the biggest highlights and surprises for me so far and I have nothing but good news about this band.

Listen to the entire album below and support this excellent band!

Ataraxie: L'Être Et La Nausée

What is the first thing that gets your attention in this? Correct: the totally awesome cover art. If I were to choose the Album Of The Year solely based on the cover, this would be fighting for the top positions. Luckily the fun doesn't stop with the illustration: the entire disc is an absolute killer.

Ataraxie hails from French Normandy and they deliver some of the most fierce and crushing funeral doom metal 2013 has seen. L'Être Et La Nausée features five songs on a double disc and the entire running time is close to 80 minutes. It was actually pretty funny that their first single, Face The Loss Of Your Sanity, lasts longer than the entire average hardcore album. Now don't get me wrong: I love my hardcore and the quantity doesn't always replace the quality but here you have plenty to chew.

What is notable about this album that it requires your absolute and undivided attention. The songs are heavy, dark and weary. Most of all the shortest track, a prelude like, lasts three minutes where the closing monster, Nausée, lasts almost half an hour. It is not something you casually put on while driving to the supermarket to buy diapers for your baby or groceries for your family, this is something you listen home alone. Loud. In the darkness. Probably sipping some fine beer or maybe a shot of whiskey.

If you are ready to have some majestic, black doom in your life, get a hold of this album. You will not regret it.


Light Bearer: Silver Tongue

I found Light Bearer by accident (like many of my new favorite bands) totally by accident. Then again following all my posts and links and emails is not entirely based on luck, but sometimes I just don't have the energy to click on that link. I am more than happy I did that with these guys. Lapsus was one of the biggest surprises for me in 2011 and I was eagerly waiting for the sophomore album. Silver Tongue came out already in February, so I have had plenty of time to analyze it.

First thing you notice is that the guys have really focused on polishing the sound and are incorporating new instruments like cello that it fits to the mix beautifully. Album starts where Lapsus left off and it actually the second chapter in the trilogy. Beautiful Is This Burden sets the mood for the entire album and it's safe to say that if you like it, you're going to love the entire album. Once again this band will not let you go easily: six songs and total playing time 80 minutes. You see the pattern already? I only like albums with ridiculously long songs, having gross or provoking artwork? Ha, well that is not the case: I actually liked pretty much the new Stryper album too, let's see if I end up writing about that too.

There is a lot to take in with Silver Tongue and Alex CF's vocals are angry and consuming, but they fit the music well. Light Bearer is another genre breaker with elements from sludge to hardcore and post-rock to metal. The only complaint I have is that some songs could have more variation, so I sometimes tend to skip them. On the other hand the trio Beautiful Is This Burden, Aggressor & Usurper and Silver Tongue offer some the finest moments in metal music this year, so I would be crazy not promoting these guys to you.

Still not convinced? The guys are offering the entire album on their Bandcamp site totally free (or pay what you will option). Listen, go crazy and support below:




In Vain: Aenigma

 

Norway's In Vain does not necessarily win awards with the choice of band's name or the cover art, but musically these guys are something to watch out for. They have been active for ten years now and Ænigma is their third release. When I heard the first single, Against The Grain, and the chorus was stuck immediately in my head for days. Soon I found out the CD arrived in the post and I was able to fully take advantage of their sound. In Vain plays progressive death metal in the vain (see what I did there?) In Mourning, Borknagar or Pressure Points. The songs offer variation in vocal style, both growls and clean vocals and an interesting mix of instruments including piano, organ, cello, violin, trombone and saxophone. Think they went overboard with it? Rest assured, I think they found a perfect balance and everything keeps nicely together.

What is great about this album that there are no weak tracks, so there is no need of getting up from your seat and reach for the remote you can blast the entire album from start to finish. The songs are melodic, catchy and most of them have a chorus you can relate to easily. That makes the album instantly more accessible, yet not too boring thanks to good songwriting. The lyrics are mostly in English, but in Hymne Til Havet they sing proudly in Norwegian and the result works beautifully. Highlights of the album for me are Against The Grain, Image Of Time, Hymne Til Havet and Floating On the Murmuring Tide (that saxophone just gets me every time). I would recommend this album to every metalhead who is interested in skillful songwriting and progressive metal.

Listen and support below:



Enshine: Origin

Enshine was born from the ashes of Slumber in 2009. The mastermind Jari Lindholm created the band together with Sebastien Pierre (ex-Inborn Suffering) and Origin is the result and their debut album. First of all I have to state that Slumber's Fallout from 2004 is one of my all-time favorite death doom albums. It has pretty much everything you can hope for in that genre and the album is nothing but amazing. Naturally my expectations were sky-high with Origin and they pull it off in my books. It is not flawless album, but very satisfactory indeed.

Origin is controlled by stellar guitar work and keyboards together with the suiting vocal delivery from Mr. Pierre. The songs continue pretty much where Fallout left off, offering a little over 40 minutes of melodic death doom metal. It's easily accessible album as the melodies are easy to follow and the songs are kept pretty dynamic and consistent. I used to listen to this album a lot and if you would have asked me about six months ago I would surely put it in my top 5. Then my everlasting hunger for new music took over and I kind of forgot to listen to it. However returning to it from time to time proves this band are capable of crafting fine songs and atmospheric space driven melodic metal.

Listen and support below:



Cnoc An Tursa: The Giants Of Auld

Cnoc An Tursa from Scotland has been around from 2006 and deliver their first album now via Candlelight Records. Their sound could be described as Celtic black metal due to the lyrical content dealing with Scottish history and poetry. Cnoc An Tursa play melodic pagan metal including traditional folk arrangements using pipes and whistles. This is what makes the difference with these guys. The folk elements are beautifully inserted inside the songs and they feel honest and fitting. If you have been reading my posts earlier, you'll know that I am a sucker for folk metal having violins, flutes, whistles or pipes but it is not a setting by default.

The Giants Of Auld is highly enjoyable debut from this Scottish horde. The good things is that there are really no bad songs on the album, but the bad thing is that since the album is pretty consistent it is hard to recommend any particular song as everything is good. The same applies to the vocals, the delivery is fitting to the sound of the band, but it feels a bit too monotonous if you listen to the album on repeat. However, my personal favorites are The Lion Of Scotland, The Spellboud Knight and the folklore cover Blar na h-Eaglaise Brice. I look forward to following the musical career of these guys and hopefully I can witness their first show in Finland too (or somewhere else).

Stream and the album here and support if you like!

2013 EPs, Demos, Splits, Covers, Singles worth checking out Part I

Malthusian: Demo MMXIII

I was completely crushed when Altar Of Plagues called it quits earlier this year. There had been rumors about it, but I simply didn't believe in them. As it finally happened, I was gutted when I missed their gig in Finland last year in Helsinki...I was at the same time catching Amon Amarth thinking these guys are still young, so I have plenty of opportunities catching them live...boy was I wrong.

Malthusian is a Black/Death metal beast from Ireland featuring members from Mourning Beloveth, Altar Of Plagues and Wreck Of The Hesperus. The demo I have to offer you completely demolished me upon first listen: brutal, bleak and full of relentless power. I would compare it to Antediluvian or Mitochondrion kinda caveman style with a bit foggy production and molten sounds, but they deliver big time. When the songs reach their peak they are capable of unleashing an ugly, full force bulldozer that will run over you, no questions asked. 

I hope this project stays alive and a full length is emerging soon...this three song demo is really a keeper!

Listen and support here:

The Great Old Ones: Bachelorette (Björk cover)

Hailing from Bordeaux, France The Great Old Ones completely floored with this Björk. Now Björk ain't metal, but an oddity from the mighty Iceland, but believe me Bachelorette cover is very much metal. When I first heard it, I kept pressing repeat over and over again. They have beautifully incorporated black metal elements into a song that used to be poppy making it completely their own. The song is pretty much perfect in length and offers variations in tempo and melody.

If you are not familiar with this band before, I highly recommend checking the debut album as well.

Listen below:




Vestiges / Panopticon Split

Vestiges are a post-black metal band from Washington influenced by hardcore, black metal, crust, d-beat, screamo and post-rock. The odd combination works beautifully in my ears and their two opening tracks set the mood just about right. VII is an instrumental slowly setting the pace and listener ready for the main track VIII which explodes in your face like a bucket of napalm. VIII clocks well over ten minutes, but the songwriting is stellar, so you will not be bored. At first I wasn't completely blown away with it, but I realize now that I have been returning to it every once in a while. Especially when I make my long walks in the woods, this music is an easy choice for the playlist. Vestiges have their entire discography up on Bandcamp, so you might wanna check it out. All albums are currently free (name your price).

Panopticon is a one-man brainchild of Austin L. Lunn from Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Lunn is an environmentalist supporting nature, paganism and spirituality. He is a multi-talented musician and a hard working man and now also a brand new dad. Panopticon plays atmospheric black metal with a bit muddy production, but the emotions boils over like a kettle on a stove with incorporated flutes and banjos. Especially this year he has made its way to being one of my most played artists in black metal. When I heard about this split, I was naturally excited as what he has to offer now. The split has three recordings, two new songs and one cover. Usually his songs have the tendency to linger over ten minutes, but this time he keeps them under than mark and displays some new elements in his sound. My favorite is currently The Eulogy.

Listen and support below:

Ash Borer: Bloodlands (EP)

One of the absolute highlights this year was seeing both Ash Borer and Fell Voices live in club PRKL, Helsinki in spring. I could not believe my eyes both underground gems on a same gig in Finland!! The club was not packed, but luckily there were enough maniacs to make them feel welcomed. I grabbed immediately the new Fell Voices on vinyl (tour edition) and two Ash Borer CD's.

Bloodlands continues where Cold Of Ages left off. There is a progression in songs and since these guys are sucker for keeping it long and riffy, both songs are well over ten minute mark. Typical to their sound the vocals are pushed back, leaving more air for the drums and guitars to breathe. The songs are based on building the atmosphere using endless riffs and relentless drumming, no short one-liner choruses here. I would play this EP especially on a cold, gloomy winter night when the wind is howling in the corners and you are comfortably enjoying your whiskey by the roaring fire.

Listen and support below:

Top Finnish metal albums 2013

Omnium Gatherum: Beyond

Omnium Gatherum made its way to my heart permanently with their previous effort New World Shadows. It had basically everything you can hope for from melodic death metal album: catchy riffs, great melodies, great compositions and memorable choruses. The thing that still separates them from the elite is probably the vocalist Jukka Pelkonen. He joined the OG ranks in 2006 and as far as I am concerned he has improved with each album. His style and technique might not be the most versatile in the world, but he can adopt to the songs beautifully and with the new album he has improved and shows even his (excellent) clean vocals.

Beyond continues where New World Shadows left off, so if you like the previous album you can jump on this immediately. Everything is the same: stellar guitar work from Markus Vanhala and Joonas Koto, excellent harmonies and killer songwriting from Mr. Vanhala. I cannot stop admiring how Mr. Vanhala can pull off two topnotch melo death bands at the same time: Omnium Gatherum and Insomnium, but somehow he is capable of doing that.

When I first heard the album I was convinced that no other album cannot simply top this. As the year has progressed I have to confess they don't make my number one spot, but most likely enter my TOP 10. What is notable about the album that it is very consistent throughout. There are no bad songs or failures. from the moment the beautiful intro Luoto starts till the minute White Palace ends you will not be skipping tracks or yawning: the album will hold you for the entire hour and I am pretty sure you will be spinning this a lot when you crave for excellent melodic death metal.

Watch the first single here

http://www.omniumgatherum.org/


Amorphis: Circle

Amorphis has been one of the most consistent bands to me over the last ten years. I wasn't really familiar with their earlier death metal style albums back in the 1990's, but I have been following them ever since Tomi Joutsen joined their ranks in 2005. I have nothing against the previous vocalist Pasi Koskinen, but somehow Mr. Joutsen just sounded perfect on Eclipse. His presence with the long dreadlocks and tattoos is manly as hell, but on top of that goddamn he delivers on the mic: both cleans and harsh vocals are delivered precisely and emotionally.

When the first single from Circle was aired, I have to admit that I wasn't impressed. The song was alright, but somehow it left me cold and a bit puzzled. The next single was totally opposite: I kept listening to it over and over again and finally could return to the first single realizing what it was all about. Ever since I picked the album from the record store I have been forced to limit myself listening to it. Why? Because I don't want to get too familiar or bored with it. I am not even sure if that could happen, but I know myself too well.

Labelling Amorphis genre wise is a bit hard today, but I would say they play progressive metal. There are elements of power, heavy and even some death metal but in the end their sound is not heaviest in the world. I feel it is a natural progression and welcome it with open arms, for some trve metal fanatics this might put them off, but the holy hell the songwriting is crazy good. I cannot stop wondering how in the hell are they capable of writing such good songs with the busy touring scOhedule. Somehow they are able to pull it off and the result is one of the finest Finnish metal albums this year.

Oranssi Pazuzu: Valonielu

My first encounter with Oranssi Pazuzu took place in 2011. I guess it was the reviews where Kosmonument was hyped as one of the most interesting Finnish underground metal albums and also the band's name which didn't seem to make any sense to me. I listened to Kosmonument for a few spins and I could relate to the hype, but somehow it didn't fully grab me by the balls. The story is different with Valonielu: from the first single I knew he guys have improved (in my ears) and their psychedelic black metal(ish) sound is totally unique and mesmerizing.

Valonielu consists of six songs and for me the long, epics Uraanisula and Ympyrä On Viiva Tomussa display beautifully how they are capable of writing intriguing songs when is time and space for the songs to grow. On the other hand I don't dislike the shorter songs, so for me the entire album is a triumph from start to finish. The vocal style might not please everyone, but it fits the atmosphere like clockwork. The biggest high point for me is the combination of sounds and the atmosphere they build together with guitars and keyboards. There are some psychedelic runs and sounds throughout the songs, but the overall sound it still toned down so you don't feel as being totally lost.

I guess it is safe to say that Valonielu is one of the biggest surprises to me this year. I just witnessed their first gig in Tampere a few months ago and they didn't disappoint me either live, so I have nothing but praise for these talented musicians.

You can stream (and buy) the entire album below:

Lost Society: Fast Loud Death

I found these young guys by accident through social media. They had been performing in a national talent show and one active music lover and blogger had posted a song from their upcoming debut album on YouTube. I am a fan of good and energetic thrash metal and that is exactly what these guys deliver. It is almost as listening to your old favorites from the 1980's coming back to life. There is Overkill, Anthrax, Slayer, Death Angel and Exodus written all over these guys, but they hot damn they deliver. I cannot remember when I had been amused in a good way as listening to this album. It is almost like the producer needed to tell these guys to settle down for a bit before they wrap-up the next song.

Fast Loud Death is filled with short thrash anthems: memorable riffs, great boyish sing-alongs and killer songwriting. They don't necessarily hit every mark in the books, but the accuracy is high enough to make my wanna buy Adidas sneakers again and start sowing those patches to that denim vest. Lost Society is fun, it is full of energy and most importantly they show that music is something to live for. I have also witnessed them playing live and I have to admit that the fun doesn't stop in the studio: they deliver live on stage too! Highly recommended for any thrash metal fan or a metal fan in general.

https://www.facebook.com/lostsocietyfinland

Mörbid Vomit: I Breathe Hell (EP)

Mörbid Vomit hails from Lahti and I Breathe Hell is their first EP. My friend is this band's manager and has been promoting them on Facebook. I decided to press play on his link and found out five minutes after Engulfed By The Plague that I had ordered the I Breathe Hell EP. Even though the band's name may sound they are some sort of rip-off comedy band, the reality is something else. Old school death metal with good songs, memorable riffs and great energy. They remind me of Swedish death metal legends like Dismember and Entombed, but once again they possess their own sound.

I Breathe Hell consists of four onslaughts and there is not a dull moment. The opener might be the best song the band has crafted so far (according to the vocalist V. Ryöti), but I am pretty sure we can expect a lot from this young and talented band. Finnish metal fans, grab your copy before they ran out!

http://www.morbidvomit.com/

2013 albums you may have missed out part 2

Summoning: Old Mornings Dawn

How many metal bands inspired by Tolkien can you name? I bet there a quite a few, but none of them is more legendary in my books than Austria's Summoning. It wasn't until in 2006 in my endless quest of epic, atmospheric metal when Oath Bound blew my head off. The album was something I had really never heard of and the long, epic songs kept me focused like a kid in the candy store. Now I was familiar of the band before and the fact that they will never play live and use programmed drums made me stray away from them for some reason. Looking back now I wonder why? I really don't know the answer anymore. My taste in music as my persona is all the time developing and I have to embrace the progress.

It was not clear if Old Mornings Dawn ever sees the daylight. Silenius (Michael Gregor) reveals in an interview for Northwind Promotion that he was empty and unmotivated for many years, but his heart attack changed it all. He realized Summoning was still important to him and he needed to start composing again. Read the full story here. For us, the fans, there are two greats results: the band nor the music didn't wither away. Seven long years after its predecessor, the final saga saw daylight in June 2013. The internet played a huge part in promoting the album: somebody leaked the album months before its release and it received a lot of negative feedback as the rip was of poor quality but it was also heralded album of the year by many fans. I felt a bit awkward and lost as I didn't know what to think. I don't start preaching here about Spotify, blogspots, torrents and Pirate Bays but it is a fact that the distribution model for music has been changed.

For some reason as this album was one of my most anticipated albums this year, I avoided it like the plague. In fact due to that I fucked up my initial order from Napalm Records and as a result the Summoning wall flag and the pendant are now missing from me. Forever. Gutted about that I ordered the final fan package, Earbook Edition, later along with the 7" vinyl but still I cannot help second guessing my actions. The music itself follows the good old Summoning agenda, the songs are pretty long, epic and have horns, battle sounds and flutes. What is new on the table is the use of female voices, whispers and clean vocals. They have not reinvented themselves, but they state there is a natural progression in the music itself.

For me the finest moments in the album are The White Tower, Caradhras and Of Pale White Morns and Darkened Eves. The album itself is strong and there are no fillers. Only complaint I have is that the metal elements are somehow toned down, the narrator's voice sounds a bit cheesy but the overall atmosphere is consistent and strong. As far as I understand this will be their final album and if this is the end, Summoning finishes off with a high note. The album will not be my pick for album of the year, but I am pretty certain it will enter my TOP 10.


Caladan Brood: Echoes Of Battle

Salt Lake City metal anyone? Enter a complete new (established in 2008) band formed by Shield Anvil and Mortal Sword from Utah playing epic atmospheric metal with lyrics inspired by Malazan Book Of The Fallen. Not convinced yet? What if I tell you that Summoning and Elffor are often mentioned as similar artists?

I found Caladan Brood totally by accident from social media as one of my buddies had a link up in Facebook saying you really need to check this band. To my huge surprise I immediately liked and disliked the band at the same time. I liked that they sounded like Summoning, the cover art was beautiful, the logo epic and the sound trustworthy. I disliked the band cause Summoning fans have been ranting them as copycats, the vocals were sung by both members and the orchestrations sounded the same. The final verdict came when I found myself ordering the A5 edition of the album together with the t-shirt: if greatness comes in two different packages having the same flavor, then why can't I have both?

In fact Echoes Of Battle has been dominating my powerplay list quite a lot in the winter 2013. It was released in 15 February and it seems has I have listened to it twenty times or more already. There is a certain likability in it: first of all the orchestrations are done masterfully, the choir in the beginning of Book Of The Fallen will be imprinted in your brains for days, the vocals display the emotions beautifully and there are some great riffs, hell even a solo! The overall sound is pretty metal in the end, although there are pipes and whistles. The use of trumpets and horns wake the inner warrior in you, although I don't have a faintest idea how these guys look like. Then again does it really matter? You'll be the judge of that cause it is pretty clear that these guys won't probably tour ever.

Echoes Of Battle is strongly recommended for any fan of Summoning or atmospheric black metal in general. There are six opuses to choose from and the duration is more than 70 minutes, so you need to reserve time to digest this monster. For the debut album these guys present a storm warning in songwriting, but some song tender to linger a few minutes too long for my liking, but it doesn't really diminish the overall performance. Take songs like Echoes Of Battle, To Walk The Ashes Of Dead Empires and Wild Autumn Wind and you will know that these guys are the real deal. I welcome them with open arms to the scene and raise my leather topped horn filled frosty ale high in the air! 

Buy and support the band here:



Deafheaven: Sunbather

Deafheaven is something you really hate if you were born in the 70's and have your roots in old school metal like Accept, Twisted Sister, Slayer, Pantera or Iron Maiden. They play Post-Black Metal with hints of screamo and post-rock, now if you don't want to expand your music taste you should stop now. Others, welcome to discover one the most interesting bands in the last three years.

It was in 2011 when Roads To Judah was released. I remember listening to the opening track, Violet, thinking what is the big thing about DFHVN? When the intro ends and the onslaught starts I nearly dropped my teacup, what the hell is this? Fast, blast beat like drumming, ferocious vocals and tremolo guitars: this is the new sound of the youth! I tried to dislike them for their short haircut, shaved cheeks and mother's favorite boyfriend like clothing, but the music won me over. And yes, I am not that close minded. I ranked Roads To Judah in my TOP 3 in 2011, but looking back at my play count now I guess it should have been higher. The entire album is triumph from start to finish, so I strongly urge you to get from their Bandcamp site.

Sunbather was released only two years after the debut album and the band went through some major line-up changes as only the founding members guitarist Kerry McCoy and vocalist George Clarke were left. Luckily they found excellent replacements and especially the new percussionist Daniel Tracy shines on this album. Where Roads To Judah only had four songs, Sunbather adds three more but they more more acoustic interludes or GodSpeed You! Black Emperor like post-rock songs. For me it is a good thing and a bad thing: If I just want to blast DFHVN in all its glory, I cut off Irresistible, Please Remember and Windows from my playlist. It's not that they would suck, but they give you some time to breathe and I don't need that everytime. The four remaining songs: Dream House, Sunbather, Vertigo and The Pecan Tree play over 46 minutes altogether so the songs are long. However, there's a lot of variations and tempo changes so they don't wear you out. Clarke's shrieking and snotty vocals are pretty much in-your-face and the guitar sound is pretty light and clear. This might confuse you, but it is done intentionally. The Pecan Tree might be one of the finest compositions this year, although I am still not sure if I like the fade out.

You know I still need to talk about something, don't you? PINK album cover on metal band?? What the hell were they thinking. I don't know and it really looks like you would be listening to a new mainstream indie pop band, but DFHVN is the real deal. Pink is the new black.

Listen and support here: