Marduk - Those of the Unlight (1993)

Spending my time off work this work trying to get through some more critical listening, with the focus today being on albums I have never really gotten along with but cannot always recall why.  

Moving away from the death metal of the debut (although random leads still punctuate Those of the Unlight which do feel out of place still on a black metal record), the sophomore is a much stronger affair in terms of musicianship and songwriting.  We are a long time before the blasting fury of Panzer Division Marduk and things feel much more controlled here and the bass is given a very open reign across the album, seemingly mapping a mature trajectory in its wake.  

The main challenge I have with this album still is that it is more than a bit boring.  Whilst I am not looking for a dynamic edge to proceedings I do still find that most of Those of the Unlight just passes me by.  I do not get the praise that this record gets from peers who consider this Marduk's magnum opus.  It somehow sounds like black metal only done half-right, occupying this odd environment where it is knocking at the door of bm most definitely but sounds more gothic in places than I would exepct it to.  I can't shitcan it by any means but I just feel the transition to full blown black metal had yet to be completed in full at this stage.

Ken mode - VOID (2023)

Uada - Crepuscule Natura (2023)

Immolation - Acts of God (2022)

Praise the Plague - The Obsidian Gate (2021)

Well, even with a cremation the coffin still needs to get into the crematorium.  Although I am sure drones will get involved at some point.

Week off work ahead, been a tiring year so far and so some downtime is long overdue.  Coffin carrying duties done at yet another family funeral this past week - one of the good ones this time, gone at a ripe old age but still too soon for my liking.

Since we appear to be in constant rain here look like I need to get the weights out of the shed and make use of the bench indoors for the forseeable.  Won't be getting much opportunity for decent walks out anytime soon so need keep the fitness up somehow.

30 minutes ago, GoatmasterGeneral said:

Olde Throne - An Gorta Mór, NZ 2022

 

Was hitting this last night.  New Zealand bm that chooses the Irish famine as its subject matter.  Me like.

I mean unless Trent is a member here, we will never know for definite will we?  Google says, Bowie, Gary Numan and Pink Floyd influenced him but also Trent himself has cited Kiss as an early influence.

Hexvessel - Polar Veil (2023)

Blackened folk/psychedlic rock/ doom that possesses a haunting and ethereal atmosphere throughout.  Some of the tracks are straight up too cooky for my liking but overall it is a strong album that permits easy immersion into.

Obscure Sphinx - Epitaphs (2016)

More of a progressive doom and post-metal combo than Hexvessel and Epitaphs is proving a lot more challenging to get into as on the lengthier tracks they seem to veer off with a regularity that honestly makes me wonder if I am listening to the same track (that'll be the progressive element - duh!).  I still keep coming back to it though as I am hearing bits that indicate if I sit down with it and risk some headphones I will truly understand it.

Baest - Danse Macabre (2018)

In a week where I have gone a little trippy on my usual bag, I still thoroughly enjoyed giving some more familiar fodder some rotation also in the form of Belgian deathsters Baest.  Some cookie-cutter death metal elements for sure but still an entertining record in the same way that Bloodbath or even Bolt Thrower can throw out accessible riffs without losing that underground appeal.

Immolation - Dawn of Possession (1991)

Hexvessel - Polar Veil (2023)

Imperial - Thrasheurs 13 (1998)

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Baest - Danse Macabre (2018)

Heads for the Dead - Serpent's Curse (2018)

Hexis - Aeternum (2022)

KEN mode - VOID (2023) - vinyl

Fluisteraars - De Kronieken van het Verdwenen Kasteel II: Nergena (2023)

Primal Rite - Dirge of Escapism (2018)

Blodtår - s/t (2021)

KEN mode - VOID (2023)

25 minutes ago, FatherAlabaster said:

Did you see the new parent company (Songtradr) laid off half the Bandcamp staff? 

Saw this.  Disappointed, yet I entirely expected this.  Bandcamp has had a great run - not that this means people should be laid off mind - but I fear it is on for a steady decline now.  Happy to be proven wrong but I fear the worst.

NP:

Батюшка - Панихида (2019)

Praise the Plague - The Obsidian Gate (2021)

Perennial Isolation - Portraits (2021)

Spanish atmospheric black metal that thankfully carries none of the warmth of the temperatures associated with their homeland:

The Infernal Sea - The Great Mortality (2015)

UK black metal that has the affliction of being downright catchy at times:

Praise the Plague - The Obsidian Gate (2021)

German blackened doom crew (my initial fears of this genre mixing meaning they were just undecided on a musical direction were unfounded).  Shit band name that makes them sound like a deathcore act but not a shit (or a deathcore) album.