Μηλινόη
despair, dementia, dissent
black metal, death metal, funeral, dungeon, dark ambient, harsh electronics, intense (neo-)classical
Candelabrum dropped a very fulfilling album this year with Portals (2018, Altare). Gritty atmospheric black metal with subtle synths and a ponderous funeral touch. A hint of Skepticism in the final track!
Darkthrone - Soulside Journey (1991, Peaceville)
If I’m going on an old school death metal journey I can’t in good conscience pass this one by without mention. Completely unrepresentative of what Darkthrone are known for, but cool stuff nevertheless. Typical and solid early-nineties European death metal.
Oh gods… and then the new Dödsrit. If their s/t was the perfect intro to their über-Swedish blackened D-beat, Spirit Crusher reveals they’ve got more up their sleeve. Extended doomy passages, for example. Solid gold.
Tape + patch (yos!) out on Wolves of Hades:
Self-Annihilating Consciousness by Eigenlicht (2018, Gilead / I, Voidhanger) is as perfectly poised as the sword on its cover. Black and doom metal as a vessel for gnostic contemplation. Ambitious, admirable. Full review in the upcoming issue of Ex Abyssō.
Inhüma by ESOCTRILIHUM (2018, I, Voidhanger) = indefatigable cosmic black/death metal. Summoning (or exorcising?) internal demons, sole member Asthâghul delivers a work of ambition matched by talent. This thing rips from start to finish.
The new album by Infernal Coil on Profound Lore is nothing to sneeze at, but have you heard their earlier EP? Burning Prayer of Infinite Hatred is compact, tightly wound, and brimming with lethal force. Whirling, arresting death metal.
Lychgate - The Contagion in Nine Steps (2018, Blood Music)
Just check out my review, will ya.
Speaking of killer death metal, Denmark’s Phrenelith have a rad 7″ out on Night Shroud called Ornamented Dead Eyes. Two chunky tracks with a strong doom/death vibe that I love, and some nice melodic leads. Digital is PWYW so get on that.
Wilt’s sullen blackened funeral is fitting my mood just fine. Moving Monoliths came out in 2015 on Bindrune / Vendetta, a ponderous work with the occasional outburst. This won’t cheer you up, but sometimes that’s just how it is.
You’ve caught me at one of my relaxed moments. That means with my head in the dungeon. In this case, the quaint, moss-covered mountain cave, rather than the blood-spattered rusty oubliette. Sweden’s Örnatorpet got that good stuff.