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Proscription - Conduit - blackened death metal from Finland put together by Christbutcher after Maveth went tits.  The expansive darkness of Finnish death metal with real menacing tremolos and melodies.  Superb stuff and would probably be on order for the vinyl had I not seen the Akhlys pre-order. 

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3 hours ago, MacabreEternal said:

Proscription - Conduit - blackened death metal from Finland put together by Christbutcher after Maveth went tits.  The expansive darkness of Finnish death metal with real menacing tremolos and melodies.  Superb stuff and would probably be on order for the vinyl had I not seen the Akhlys pre-order. 

Here's to blackened death metal. I just browsed this record - and it sounds awesome! I think I'm going to purchase it. 

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Enslaved - Utgard   ...finally got to do it right, took a walk in the state forest with this on headphones. Perfect accompaniment to a lovely afternoon and an interesting entry into their discography, full of synth textures and a variety of vocal styles. There's a lot going on here. I can see this one taking several listens to fully appreciate. More coherent thoughts about it may be available to me at some point.

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9 hours ago, FatherAlabaster said:

Enslaved - Utgard   ...finally got to do it right, took a walk in the state forest with this on headphones. Perfect accompaniment to a lovely afternoon and an interesting entry into their discography, full of synth textures and a variety of vocal styles. There's a lot going on here. I can see this one taking several listens to fully appreciate. More coherent thoughts about it may be available to me at some point.

Read an interview with Ivar last week and on this record he's let go of the reins a lot this time in terms of trying to not be both the sole composer as well as the go to guy for everything band related.  Labour has been very much divided this time around and with new boy Iver Sando's skillset reaching beyond just drumming (he's an engineer and producer) this has also taken some stress away from Ivar.

In the interview, Ivar describes himself as having "...this fear of being the 'Emperor with no clothes', that is the fear of all megalomaniacs like myself in charge of things like this."  He also alludes to some health issues linked to his constant pushing himself into overdrive to keep on top of everything.

Grutle's been going to Sando for years to get his vocals produced so I am guessing the variety of styles may be due to them now being able to be together in the same band and encouraged to develop ideas.  Looking forward to getting this on the playlist in the coming week.  Sensing it is going to need some attention as I listen so will probably dedicate an evening in my darkened lair to it one night this week.

**updates Alexa with order for more candles**

NP:

Yen Pox - Between The Horizon & The Abyss  

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